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AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  ^  ^^* 
BENJAMIN  WEBSTER 


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University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

JVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/autobiographyofcOOwebsrich 


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AUTOBIOGRAPHY 


OF 


Capt.  Benjamin  Webster 


TO   WHICH    IS   ADDED    EXTRACTS 
FROM    THE 


DIA^RY 


OF 


Mrs.   Benjamin  Webster 


PORTLAND,    ME- 
TRE   THURSTON    PRINT 
1900. 


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CHAPTER  1.     '^  ^    '"  •  ^^     o    .......  . 


JOHN    WEBSTER. 


John  Webster,  my  grandfather,  was  born  in  Cold  Kirby,  coast 
of  England,  September  15,  1749.  He  learned  the  tailorHrade 
there,  and  at  the  age  of  about  twenty-one,  embarked  for  Boston. 
He  landed  there  in  a  strange  country,  without  relatives  or  ac- 
quaintance. One  guinea  was  all  his  earthly  treasure. 
Doubtless  he  was  lonely  so  far  away  from  his  native  home.  In 
one  of  his  walks,  he  wandered  down  on  one  of  the  wharves,  where 
-he  found  a  small  vessel, — a  coaster.  He  went  on  board,  and  en- 
gaged in  conversation  with  the  Captain — Captain  Young.  He 
inquired  where  Yarmouth  was,  and  how  far,  and  told  the  Captain 
he  would  like  to  go  there,  but  had  no  money  to  pay  his  passage. 
Captain  Young  must  have  discovered  something  in  this  young 
man,  for  he  became  interested  in  him,  and  told  him  he  would 
take  him  with  him.  They  arrived  at  Yarmouth  Foreside,  came 
to  anchor,  as  it  was  low  water  they  couldn't  go  up  the  river. 
Captain  Young  invited  him  to  go  ashore  with  him  and  go  up  to 
his  house,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  landing,  and  as 
they  entered  the  house,  Mrs.  Young  had  a  piece  of  cloth  spread 
on  the  table,  just  in  the  act  of  cutting  out  a  new  pair  of  pants 
from  another  pair. 

Captain  Young  said  to  his  wife,  "This  man  is  a  tailor.  Per- 
haps he  can  assist  you  in  cutting  out  those  pants."  She  said, 
"I  wish  he  would.''  He  replied,  "You  must  send  for  the  boy. 
I  can't  cut  by  another  pair." 

The  boy  came,  was  measured,  and  the  pants  cut.  Then  the 
tailor  said,  "Madam,  if  you  have  a  needle  and  thread,  I  will 
make  these  up  for  you."  Before  he  finished  the  pants,  it  was 
known  over  the  neighborhood,  that  Captain  Young  had  brought 
a  tailor  home.  He  had  other  work  offered  him  before  those  pants 
were  done.  He  continued  working  at  his  trade  in  this  same 
house  until  he  had  accumulated  some  money  and  bought  the 
house,  and  about  forty-seven  acres  of  land,  having  money  enough 
to  make  the  first  payment  in  cash. 

About  this  time  he  became  acquainted  with  and  finally  mar- 
ried a  girl  by  the  name  of  Patience  Winslow.  They  began 
housekeeping  in  this  same  house.     His  tailoring  business  not 

M15368 


bringing  in  money  rapidly  enough^  he  built  himself  a  tan-yard, 

r '  ;af«J  engaged  m.  the  business  of  tanning  leather.     He  also  built 

'chi?ii  salt-V'oife'. ;  '^leve  he  was  for  years  tanning  and  making  salt. 

c   c  .IJere- fi?/,ec children  y/eye  born  to  him,  three  daughters  and  two 

''.','  ^A)hs-;r,?wih;  Wehste'r/cEenjamin,  my  father,  Betsey,  Hannah,  and 

Jane.     All  lived  to  grow  up,  and  started  prosperously  in  life. 

I  think  he  must  have  been  a  rather  eccentric  man,  from  the 

stories  my  father  has  told  me  about  him. 

One  was  that  he  was  put  out  with  one  of  his  neighbors,  would 
have  no  dealings  with  him  and  would  not  even  speak  when  they 
met.  About  this  time  the  minister  preached  a  sermon  in  which 
he  said  a  good  deal  about  loving  one  another.  A  Monday  morn- 
ing, one  of  the  brothers  of  the  Church  called  on  my  grandfather, 
and  had  a  talk  with  him  about  living  in  that  way  with  his 
neighbor,  whose  name,  by  the  way,  was  Deacon  Hayes.  He 
says,  "It's  not  my  fault,  for  if  I  should  speak  to  him  he  wouldn't 
answer."     The  neighbor  replied,  "0,  I  think  he  would." 

About  this  time.  Deacon  Hayes  was  seen  coming  up  the  road 
on  his  old  white  horse.  As  he  came  along,  my  grandfather  said, 
"Deacon  Hayes,  I  think  you  look  blacker  than  ever  this  morn- 
ing." The  Deacon  made  no  reply,  but  hit  his  horse  a  tap  with 
the  whip,  and  was  soon  out  of  hearing.  My  grandfather,  turn- 
ing to  the  kind  neighbor,  said,  "I  hope  you  are  convinced  it  is 
not  my  fault.  I  spoke  to  him  and  he  didn't  answer,  as  I  told 
you  he  would  not." 

x\s  my  grandfather  did  not  wish  to  reside  in  a  place  unless  he 
could  live  at  peace  with  all  men,  he  sold  out  all  his  property, 
and  moved  with  his  wife  and  five  children  into  the  town  of 
Freeport,  where  he  had  bought  quite  a  number  of  hundred  acres 
of  land,  and  built  him  a  house  and  barns.  He  cleared  up  the 
lands,  till  he  had  large  fields.  About  this  time,  he  built  him  a 
vessel,  up  at  his  own  door.  He  hauled  her  down  to  the  river 
about  a  half  a  mile  on  sleds,  loaded  her  principally  with  spars 
from  his  own  land,  put  my  father  in  command  of  her,  a  lad 
nineteen  years  of  age,  he  himself  taking  passage  with  them, 
arriving  home  at  Cold  Kirby,  l^s  native  place,  inside  of  thirty- 
one  years  from  the  time  he  left  it,  possessing  this  time,  instead 
of  the  one  guinea  with  which  he  left  it,  the  entire  vessel  and 
cargo,  with  his  nineteen  year  old  son  as  master. 

He  found  a  ready  market  for  his  cargo,  and  returned  to  his 
adopted  country  well  pleased  with  his  voyage. 

It  appears  that  he  lived  some  ten  years  afterwards.  He 
gave  his  son  John  the  home  place,  and  my  father  land  for  a 
large   farm.       A  short  time   before  his   death,  he  took   his  two 


boys  up  to  the  division  line.  There  they  measured  of?  and 
staked  out  a  lot  for  a  burying-ground.  Then  he  put  up  stakes 
where  he  was  to  be  laid,  and  he  said  to  his  two  sons,  "I  give  this 
lot  for  a  district  burying-ground,  and  here  is  where  I  am  to  be 
laid.  There  is  no  person  to  be  laid  here  until  I  am  laid  here. 
I  want  you  to  remember  this  burying-ground  is  between  your 
two  farms,  and  if  ever  you  quarrel,  it  will  be  over  the  grave  of 
your  dead  father." 

This  is  about  the  last  that  I  know  of  him.  He  died  at  the  age 
of  sixty-two,  loved  and  respected  by  all  that  knew  him  except 
Deacon  Haves. 

This  burying-ground  has  been  increased  in  its  size  twice  from 
land  from  my  father's  field,  and  is  called  and  always  will  be 
known  as  the  Webster  Cemetery,  and  the  road  that  extends  to 
it  and  on  through  to  the  town  of  Pownal,  as  the  Webster  Road. 
I  have  taken  a  great  deal  of  pains  the  last  fifteen  years  with 
this  cemetery,  and  have  a  granite  base  around  the  lot  that  con- 
tains my  grandfather  and  grandmother,  my  father  and  his  two 
wives,  three  sisters  and  a  brother. 

This  is  about  all  that  is  known  of  mj  grandfather. 

Cold  Kirby  March  the  20—1801 

Loving  Brother  those  lines  [  ]  ns  With  tender  Brotherly  Love 
to  you  Hopeingthay  Will  find  you  ingoodhilth  Likewise  All  your 
famly  as  thay  leave  me  &  my  three  Sons  I  Bles  God  for  it  I  Re- 
ceaved  youT  Letter  that  W^as  Dated  December  the  16th  1800 
With  joy  for  I  thought  I  Should  Never  hard  of  you  more  &  I 
Receaved  it  jenuary  the  26*^^  1801  &  I  Should  have  Rote  Sowner 
But  1  have  had  Sum  meetings  With  Docter  Ness  But  I  Cannot 
Dow  No  Good  With  him  and  as  for  his  Son  he  tels  me  that  he 
have  not  beared  of  him  for  a  Consederable  time  &  the  Last  time 
that  he  had  a  Letter  from  him  he  Wass  at  New- York  in  A 
Martion  Vessell  But  if  Ever  he  Retorns  home  A  Gain  I  Will 
try  him  to  the  Bottom  for  his  Bad  Conduct  If  he  have  Any 
prinsable  at  all  But  I  thout  M^'  Ness  Wowld  a  Discharged  Sum 
part  of  the  mone  But  I  Cannot  Git  him  to  Dow  nothing  till  that 
he  Cee  his  Son  &  than  I  have  my  Douts  on  him  Still  if  Ever 
that  he  Dow  Retorn  But  I  Will  take  Cair  of  his  Note  till  You 
hear  from  me  forther  Loving  Brother  I  am  Glad  to  hear  that  you 
Git  forwards  in  the  World  and  likeWise  that  Benjeman  is  Got 
to  Be  Sutch  an  A  Suport  to  you  I  Should  Be  Glad  to  Liv  to  Ever 
have  the  opertunyty  of  Ceing  him  in  Did  England  I  pray  to  God 
for  him  that  the  Lord  Wowld  Giv  him  that  peas  that  paseth  all 
understanding  Which  the  World  Can  Neather  Giv  nor  take  a  Way 
Likewise  to  you  &  my  Loving  Sister  your  Wife  &  all  the  Rest  of 


your  Childring  that  you  all  may  Becom  the  famly  of  the  Hous- 
hold  of  f  ath  in  Eite"^ness  and  true  Holeness  &  as  You  &  me  Grow 
in  years  that  Wee  may  Grow  in  Grase  &  in  the  Knowledg  of  our 
Lord  jesus  Crist  Which  is  our  Reasonable  Sarvis. 

Brother  What  a  Stoneshing  thing  it  is  to  all  my  Nibers  to 
hear  of  the  holeing  of  your  Yessell  &  I  am  Siipprised  that  Your 
farme  at  North  Yarmoth  is  Worth  No  more  than  8  pounds  par 
Year  But  to  Leave  hear  I  Will  give  you  an  account  of  our  Contry 
I  Rote  to  you  in  my  Last  Letter  how  Come  &  other  things  Sold 
in  old  England  but  thay  are  Wors  Now  Wheat  is  Sold  hear  from 
18S  Shillings  to  20^  Shillings  par  Bushel  Righ  at  14^  Shillings 
a  Bushel  Barley  12^  Beans  12^  Otes  from  5^  &  6^  &  7^  &  7^  and 
6  pens  par  Bushel  I  my  Self  hass  paid  7^  and  6^  pens  a  Bushel 
for  forty  Bushels  for  Seed  the  Rest  I  want  I  will  Sow  of  my 
owne  I  have  Sold  tow  hundred  &  Sixty  Bushels  of  Otes  this  year 
I  have  Wheat  to  Sarve  my  Self  this  year  &  potatoes  is  3^  to  4^ 
par  Bushel  Green  Bacon  is  from  8^  to  9^  par  Stone  Now 
when  Solted  &  Dryed  it  is  sold  from  11^  &  6^  to  12^  par 
Stone  Rice  6^  par  pound  Beef  &  mutton  7^  &  8^  par 
pound  &  Every  thing  Els  as  Solt  Chanels  Sope  Shugar  treakel 
at  very  high  prises  Chees  Old  milk  5^  &  6^  par  Stone  Butter  Was 
Sold  Last  Sumber  for  3^  5^  0^  par  ferken  4  Stone  to  the  ferken 
the  Lord  help  the  poor  for  You  may  Sopose  hear  is  Great  Want 
I  Bles  the  Lord  1  have  plenty  Loving  Brother  I  have  had  tow 
Langishing  ileneses  Sins  You  Was  in  Enland  But  thanks  be 
to  God  I  am  in  good  hilth  Now  You  Rote  to  know  how  your 
Sister  Did  &  how  She  Was  Supported  your  Sister  is  Still 
Living  &  much  as  She  Wass  When  you  Ceed  hor  She  is  With 
a  farmar  in  Clevland  at  John  Hindersons  &  my  Expens 
But  I  am  the  most  the  farmers  helps  us  But  I  am  Near 
twenty  pounds  Out  John  Not  So  much  She  is  very  harmlas  & 
Enofensif  to  all  I  Did  Not  Rite  to  you  about  hor  for  She  Never 
is  Likle  to  have  hor  Reason  more  She  trobles  me  When  I  Ce  hor 
that  I  Did  Not  Wish  to  troble  you  tow  boot  according  to  your 
Desire  I  have  made  mention  on  it  to  you  And  as  Long  as  I  have 
it  She  Shal  not  Want 

Brother  had  you  comed  to  England  With  a  Cargo  of  Wheat  this 
Sumber  You  Would  maid  a  profittable  Yoige  but  your  Wood  is 
Nearly  Worth  as  much  more  as  it  Wass  When  You  Wear  hear 
Last  Both  plank  Staves  &  timber  you  Are  Showr  to  make  A  very 
advantages  Voige  1  think  Lode  With  What  you  Will  &  Brother 
if  you  Should  Colect  timber  to  Build  a  vessel  to  Com  to  England 
if  Benjeman  Come  Captan  my  tow  Eldist  Sons  have  Satteled 
thair  minds  to  Com    to  try  thair  fortons  in  Amereca  John  my 


Eldest  Son  he  is  forman  With  One  of  Our  Leeding  farmers  he 
is  not  with  the  Same  master  that  he  wass  With  Last  year  But  he 
is  With  his  Last  masters  Brother  for  thay  Wowld  not  part  With 
him  he  is  Yong  Sound  &  Strong, &  he  is  very  Cairful  of  his 
mone  &  Can  Go  throu  his  Bisenis  in  plowing  Sowing  mowing 
hedging  Ditching  Stacking  Both  Corn  &  hay  that  if  Sutch  A 
thing  Should  fole  out  I  hope  you  Will  find  him  a  plase  With 
Sum  Gentleman  farmer  prette  I^ear  you  for  thay  ar  Detarmined 
to  Go  by  Your  Derections  &  As  for  the  Yonger  I  think  he  must 
Eader  Stay  With  you  or  Els  With  Benjeman  at  INTorth  Yarmoth 
he  is  22  years  of  Age  he  have  Lived  Last  year  With  his  Brother 
Which  he  put  him  forwards  in  Bisanis  &  he  Livs  this  year  With 
Eichard  Bar  Your  Compannean  Yhen  you  Came  to  Amereca  he 
is  Capabel  of  ondertakeing  and  maniging  a  tolarrable  f  arme  &  he 
is  vere  Cairful  of  his  mone  that  I  am  not  much  afraid  of  them 
if  thay  have  thair  hilths  you  Desired  me  to  let  you  know  Con- 
sarning  my  Wifes  famly  She  Came  from  Near  Bedel  the  west  of 
Yorksher  She  is  fefted  in  hor  Substans  that  She  had  in  one 
hundred  &  forty  five  pounds  But  you  are  not  Likely  to  know 
None  of  them  pray  Giv  me  a  Line  as  Sonne  as  Binjiman  Come 
home  Which  I  shall  Lowk  for  So  no  more  at  prisant  from  your 
Loving   Brother 

W^^  Webster 

To  M''  John  Webster 
at  freeport  in  Cascay  Bay 
New  England  Near 
Boston  to  Go  By  Halefax 
packet  Novescotia  With  Caire 

My  grandmother  remained  a  few  years  at  the  home-place, 
then  went  to  live  with  her  daughter  Hannah,  Mrs.  Holbrook. 
Her  husband  was  considered  rich  for  those  times.  She  died 
there  somewhere  near  1820.  The  old  house  is  still  standing, 
and  when  t  go  to  Freeport,  I  look  at  it.  It  was  there  that  I  saw 
my  grandmother,  and  this  is  the  only  time  that  I  have  any  rec- 
ollection of  her.  She  lies  at  the  side  of  her  husband  in  the 
Webster  Cemeterv. 


CHAPTER  II. 

JONADAB    WAITE,    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

My  mother  was  a  descendant  of  John  Waite,  son  of  Jonadab 
Waite.  He  was  born  in  1700^,  and  came  from  Newbury,  Mass. 
He  ran  a  packet  from  Portland  to  Boston  for  quite  a  number 
of  years.  His  house  was  near  where  the  Portland  Works  now 
are.  He  had  ten  children,  and  a  distinguished  posterity.  His 
children  were  Benjamin,  born  in  Newbury,  1725,  Colonel  in 
Samuel  Waldo's  regiment  in  1762,  Hannah,  Sarah,  John  Jr., 
Stephen,  Abigail,  Mary,  Isaac,  Rebecca,  and  Emma.  This  Ben- 
jamin was  my  grandfather's  father. 

John  was  captain  of  the  artillery,  and  distinguished  himself 
at  the  battle  of  Quebec  when  Wolfe  was  killed.  On  his  return, 
he  was  made  colonel,  and  appointed  high  sheriff,  which  office 
he  held  for  about  thirty-four  years.  When  Drew  was  hung  on 
Mountjoy  Hill,  he  hired  a  man  by  the  name  of  Loring  from 
North  Yarmouth,  and  gave  him  ten  dollars  for  hanging  him, 
and  then  immediately  gave  up  his  office  as  sheriff,  saying  that  he 
would  not  hold  any  office  in  which  he  was  obliged  to  take  a  man's 
life.  Still  he  continued  to  hold  important  offices  in  the  town, 
and  was  chosen  to  the  Legislature  in  Massachusetts,  quite  a 
number   of   times. 

John  Waite,  his  father,  retired  from  his  packet  business  and 
became  a  merchant  in  Portland  for  a  while.  He  was  elected  four 
times  selectman  of  the  town,  but  preferring  a  quiet  life,  he  moved 
to  Peaks  Island.  He  owned  two-ninths  of  the  island  and  built 
him  a  house  near  Trefethen's  Landing.  It  appears  that  he  was 
rather  an  eccentric  man,  for  in  the  living-room  of  this  house  he 
built  two  fireplaces,  one  for  himself  and  wife  and  one  for  the 
servant.  He  lived  in  this  house  the  remainder  of  his  life,  a 
quiet,  retired  citizen.  (He  is  buried  in  the  Eastern  Cemetery.) 
Benjamin  and  Stephen  were  merchants  in  Portland,  and  carried 
on  an  extensive  West  India  business,  owning  their  own  vessels. 
Vessels  were  small  in  those  days.  They  built  their  vessels  at 
the  Presumpscot  river  in  Falmouth.  It  appears  they  lost  very 
heavily  in  the  war  of  1775,  and  Benjamin  moved  out  to  Martin's 
Point  in  Falmouth.  He  owned  most  of  the  land  there.  Daniel, 
his  son,  my  grandfather,  was  born  in  1773.  I  know  not  anything 
of  him  until   he  became    a  young  man.      He   lived    on    Little 


Chebeague  and  I  think  his  father  owned  the  island.  He  became 
acquainted  with  Eachel  Chandler,  living  on  Great  Chebeague. 
He  bought  land  and  built  him  a  house  near  Chandler's  Cove,  wa* 
married  to  Eachel  Chandler,  and  my  mother  was  born  there  in 
1790.  She  had  one  brother  named  Daniel,  who  died  when  a 
young  man.  Later  he  bought  land  at  Strout's  Point  now  called 
South  Freeport,  built  a  house  and  barn,  sold  his  property  on  the 
island  and  moved  there  in  1804,  my  mother  then  being  four- 
teen 3'ears  old.  I  presume  that  my  mother's  education  was 
such  as  she  could  get  from  the  district  schools  of  those  days. 
She  became  a  teacher  in  the  district  for  quite  a  time.  When  I 
was  a  small  lad  I  often  visited  my  grandfather  and  grandmother, 
and  loved  to  go  there  much,  as  he  and  my  grandmother  were 
both  so  kind  and  genial.  He  was  known  as  a  kind  neighbor, 
and  much  thought  of.  Later  in  his  life  he  lost  his  property. 
He  was  a  strong  Universalist,  knew  the  Bible  almost  by  heart, 
and  I  have  heard  my  mother  say,  no  minister  wanted  to  get  into 
an  argument  with  him  on  the  Bible  the  second  time.  His  wife 
was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church;  he  was  always 
willing  for  her  to  attend  her  church  and  have  neighborhood 
meetings  at  his  house.  I  remember  at  one  time  when  a  small  lad, 
being  there  at  one  of  these  evening  meetings,  and  one  of  his 
nephews,  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  wai  making 
some  remarks,  and  quoted  from  the  Scriptures.  My  grandfather 
said:  "Joshua,  there's  no  such  word  in  the  Bible;  when  you 
quote  Scripture,  quote  it  as  it  is.''  Then  my  grandfather  re- 
peated it  as  it  was  in  the  Bible. 

They  continued  to  live  there  until  they  became  old  and  infirm. 
My  grandmother  had  a  broken  hip  and  could  not  walk.  She  was 
taken  to  my  father's  house  and  remained  there  until  her  death. 
She  was  never  known  to  complain  of  her  sufferings,  but  was 
always  a  quiet  Christian  woman.  Her  last  sickness,  but  a  short 
time  before  her  death,  she  had  my  father  called  to  her  bedside, 
and  thanked  him  for  all  his  kind  care  to  her  through  her  old 
age,  and  asked  God  to  bless  him  for  his  goodness  to  her.  She 
died  and  lies  in  the  Webster  Cemetery.  (My  grandfather  used 
to  be  at  my  father's  a  great  deal  afterward,  but  I  don't  think  he 
died  there.)     He  lies  bv  the  side  of  his  wife. 


CHAPTER  III. 

BENJAMIN    AVEBSTER,    MY    FATHER. 

Benjamin  Webster,  my  father,  born  December  26,  177^  I 
know  but  little  of  his  childhood,  but  he  began  going  to  sea  at 
a  very  early  age.  I  think  he  steadily  followed  this  profession, 
and  became  master  at  the  age  of  nineteen.  I  think  he  was  mar- 
ried about  the  year  1804,  to  Lydia  Soule,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Eunice  Soule.  Their  children  were  Timothy,  Samuel,  Lydia, 
and  Polly.  Polly  married  Joseph  Pratt.  Timothy  married 
Nancy  Chandler.  Samuel  had  three  wives.  Lydia,  my  father's 
wife,  those  that  knew  her  agreed  in  calling  her  a  very  amiable 
woman,  kind,  and  of  even  disposition.  She  was  possessed  of  far 
more  than  the  usual  share  of  good  looks  and  mental  gifts.  There 
were  three  children  by  his  marriage,  John  Augustine,  Julia 
Ann,  and  Hannah,  then  their  mother  died  April  26,  1811.  After 
a  while  my  father  married  Mary  Waite,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Rachel  Waite.  There  were  nine  children  by  this  marriage; 
Rachel,  Benjamin,  Elmira,  William,  Mary  Elizabeth,  Lydia, 
Mary  Jane,  Isabella,  and  Phoebe  Francis.  Mary  Elizabeth, 
Lydia,  and  Mary  Jane  died  young.  Rachel  married  Reuben 
Roberts  of  Portland.  After  she  was  all  dressed  and  ready  to 
go  down  and  be  married,  she  said  to  Mr.  Roberts,  "It  doesn't 
seem  worth  while  for  you  to  marry  me  to  live  with  me  short  of 
three  years."  She  had  it  impressed  upon  her  and  often  made 
the  remark  that  she  shouldn't  live  to  be  thirty.  There  was  one 
son  by  this  marriage, — William  Webster  Roberts,  a  citizen  of 
Portland.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  two  months  old,  per- 
fectly resigned  and  willing  to  go.  She  used  to  say  to  those  that 
prayed  with  her,  "Don't  pray  for  my  recovery."  She  lies  in 
Evergreen  Cemetery.  Julia  Ann,  after  a  reasonable  time,  mar- 
ried her  husband,  Reuben  Roberts.  They  lived  together  quite 
a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Roberts  gave  up  his  business  on  account 
of  ill  health,  and  died  after  a  long  sickness.  His  wife  survived 
him  until  the  year  1893.  She  died  at  South  Paris,  funeral  at 
William  W.  Roberts  house,  Portland,  and  now  lies  in  Evergreen 
Cemetery.  Hannah,  a  very  amiable  girl,  loved  dearly  by  all 
her  half-brothers  and  sisters,  married  Charles  Fobes  of  Portland. 
I  think  there  were  seven  children  from  this  marriage;  two  died 
in  infancy,  one  a  lovely  girl,  died  at  about  the  age  of  twelve. 


George  C.  lived  to  be  about  forty-five,  died  leaving  a  widow.  He 
lies  now  in  Evergreen  Cemetery.  Three  children  still  survive, 
Charles  S.,  Leander  W.,  now  merchants  of  Portland,  and  L.  J. 
living  in  Baltimore.  Those  three  men  are  well  known  and  re- 
•  speeted,  and  I  feel  proud  to  know  that  they  are  my  sister's  child- 
ren. Elmira  married  Edward  Chandler,  and  had  four  children, 
three  still  alive.  Edward  Chandler  died  at  sea.  Elmira  died 
at  home  in  Freeport,  February,  1896.  Isabella  married  John 
Blethen  of  Freeport,  an  industrious  and  honorable  man.  He 
died  many  years  ago.  His  wife  survives  him  and  now  lives  in 
Freeport. 

Phoebe  Francis  married  Henry  Fobes  of  South  Paris,  and  there 
were  three  children  by  this  marriage.  All  lived  to  grow  up,  two 
married,  all  interesting  women  and  ornaments  to  society.  Wil- 
liam died  at  my  fathers  house  at  about  the  age  of  twenty-two, 
and  now  lies  in  the  Webster  Cemetery.  He  was  a  great  loss  to 
his  parents,  sisters,  and  brothers,  as  he  was  a  young  man  of  good 
habits  and  endearing  qualities. 

The  first  remembrance  I  have  of  my  father  was  when  I  was 
three  3^ears  old.  It  was  a  terrible  northeast  snow-storm.  To- 
wards night  my  father  went  to  his  barn  to  take  care  of  his  cattle, 
while  I  and  my  sister  Eachel  about  five  years  old  went  out  for  a 
snowballing.  My  father,  wiser  than  we,  took  such  a  posi- 
tion that  the  wind  blew  directly  from  him  to  us,  so  that  when 
we  threw  any  snow  it  all  blew  back  into  our  faces..  'Twas  but  a 
few  minutes  before  we  were  completely  snow-blinded  and  lying 
in  the  drifts  crying.  My  father  picked  us  up,  and  taking  one 
under  each  arm  carried  us  into  the  house.  •  As  years  have  rolled 
around,  I  have  never  forgotten  this  incident,  and  realize  that 
we  lost  the  battle  entirely  by  my  father's  superior  wisdom  in 
the  selection  of  a  position,  and  taking  advantage  of  the  wind. 

I  rem?ember  my  father  as  generally  being  kind  to  his  children 
but  at  times,  perhaps,  stern.  His  word  was  law  with  us,  from 
which  there  was  no  appealing.  I  relate  another  incident  illus- 
trating his  discipline.  This  was  when  I  was  about  four  or  five 
years  old.  Our  house  was  a  common  farmhouse,  the  chambers 
unfinished,  and  it  was  not  an  uncommon  thing  in  a  heavy  driving 
\  /  storm  to  wake  up  in  the  morning  and  find  quite  a  pile  of  snow  on 
/\the  bed.  This  was  before  the  time  of  stoves  in  houses,  and  all 
the  fire  we  generally  had  was  in  a  very  large  fireplace  in  a  large 
kitchen.  We  children  used  to  stand  up  before  this  fireplace 
and  warm  one  side  and  then  turn  round  and  warm  the  other. 
Perhaps  in  the  back  part  of  the  kitchen  it  would  be  cold  enough 
to  freeze.     One  of  these  cold  mornings,  when  the  thermometer 


10 

would  surely  have  been  down  below  zero,  if  we  had  had  one,  I  got 
up  in  this  cold  unfinished  shed  chamber,  put  on  my  clothes,  took 
my  stockings  and  shoes,  and  came  down  into  the  kitchen,  jam- 
ming my  way  in  amongst  the  other  children  to  get  to  the  fire  to 
put  on  my  stockings  and  shoes.  One  of  the  other  children  cried 
out,  "Don't  shove  me  away  from  the  fire ;"  my  father  coming  in 
from  the  feeding  his  stock,  entered  the  kitchen ;  and  overhearing 
the  remark,  and  seeing  the  action,  said,  "Benjamin,  take  your 
stockings  and  shoes  and  go  out  doors  and  put  them  on."  It  was 
done  without  a  whimper,  feeling  that  it  was  a  father's  command 
and  therefore  all  right.  Later,  perhaps  two  or  three  years  after, 
something  happened  to  displease  me  very  much  and  I  wouldn't 
eat  any  supper.  For  this  display  of  temper  I  was  sent  to  bed 
The  next  morning,  I  was  as  fast  in  getting  my  chair  to  the  table 
for  breakfast  as  any  other  one.  My  father  said,  "Benjamin, 
last  night  you  had  your  way,  wouldn't  eat  any  supper ;  this  morn- 
ing I  shall  have  my  way,  you  shan't  have  any  breakfast."  Some 
people  in  these  days  may  think  this  rigid  discipline,  but  we 
children  loved  and  respected  our  father,  and  as  we  grew  older, 
we  began  to  find  out  the  kindness  of  his  heart.  He  was  always 
ready  to  lend  a  hand  in  sickness ;  kind  in  giving  to  the  poor ;  a 
man  of  strong  will,  and  good  judgment  and  often  referred  to  for 
advice  by  his  neighbors. 

I  remember  once  that  one  of  his  neighbors  on  going  into  the 
woods  with  Ms  team  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  my  father's 
house,  sent  a  message  to  my  father  a  little  later  saying,  "Mr. 
Winslow  has  got  badly  hurt  by  a  tree  falling  in  the  woods,  and 
sends  for  you  to  come  and  get  him  home."  My  father  went  with 
all  haste,  got  a  straw  bed  and  a  feather  bed  from  a  house,  placed 
them  upon  his  own  sled,  and  brought  Mr.  Winslow  to  his  own 
house.  Before  doing  this  he  had  sent  for  the  doctor  to  come  with 
all  haste  possible  to  the  house.  I  think  he  lived  less  than  twenty- 
four  hours.  I  heard  it  said  once  of  my  father  that  if  he  should  see 
any  one  hungry  and  had  only  a  seed-cake  himself,  that  he  would 
break  it  in  two  and  give  the  hungry  man  half,  and  most  likely  he 
would  break  his  half  in  two  and  give  him  half  of  that. 

I  remember  another  case  where  he  was  going  into  the  woods, 
and  met  an  old  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Blaney  Carver.  Car- 
ver said: — "Uncle  Ben,  give  me  a  chew  of  tobacco;"  my  father 
took  out  his  tobacco  box — and  I  well  remember  how  bright  and 
shining  it  always  looked,  and  he  always  used  to  cut  up  his 
tobacco  in  small  pieces  enough  for  one  quid,  and  fill  up  his  box 
with  these  quids, —  handed  the  box  to  Mr.  Carver,  who  took  it, 
watching  his  chance,  and  emptied  the  whole  contents  into  his 


11 

hand,  then  closed  the  box  and  handed  it  back  to  my  father. 
They  separated,  my  father  to  the  woods.  He  felled  a  tree,  and 
seeing  what  a  great  task  he  had  before  him  to  cut  the  tree  up 
into  wood,  before  beginning  on  it,  thought  he  would  take  a  chew 
of  tobacco,  and  opened  the  box  only  to  find  it  empty.  I  believe 
if  he  could  have  gotten  hold  of  Mr.  Carver  that  he  would  have 
shaken  him  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  Mr.  Carver  think  he  was 
anything  but  kind. 

I  will  relate  one  more  of  his  kind  acts.  One  Sunday  morning, 
after  quite  a  storm  of  light  snow  to  the  depth  of  several  inches, 
my  father  and  brother  John  and  myself,  probably  about  nine 
years  old,  started  for  meeting  three  miles  and  a  half  in  the  sleigh. 
As  we  drove  down  the  Webster  road  and  turned  into  the  country 
road,  we  saw  two  young  men  walking  down  Todd's  Hill.  My 
father  said,  "Probably  these  are  two  sailors  shipped  in  Portland 
yesterday  who  have  run  away."  As  we  came  to  the  hill  on  the 
other  side  of  the  bridge,  my  father  got  out  of  the  sleigh  to  walk 
up  the  hill.  He  walked  slowly,  and  the  two  men  coming  up,  he 
engaged  them  in  conversation.  They  had  been  shipwrecked  and 
had  lost  everything  that  they  had.  They  were  on  board  of  the 
brig  Sirius,  Sylvanus  Blanchard  of  Xorth  Yarmouth,  master, 
from  Liverpool,  bound  for  Portland.  This  was  before  any  lights 
on  Cape  Elizabeth.  With  a  fair  wind  a  good  stiff  breeze  he 
plumped  her  on  to  Alden's  Ledge,  and  stove  a  hole  in  her.  The 
water  pouring  in  and  the  cargo  of  salt  running  out,  they  had  just 
time  to  get  the  boats  and  escape  with  their  lives,  losing  every- 
thing else.  They  rowed  into  Portland  Harbor,  and  brought 
themselves  the  news  of  the  loss  of  the  Sirius.  These  two  young 
men  started  on  foot  to  walk  to  their  home  in  Brunswick.  When 
we  reached  the  top  of  the  hill,  father  got  into  the  sleigh  and  we 
jogged  along  to  meeting.  When  we  reached  the  meeting-house 
at  Freeport  Corner,  my  father  and  I  got  out,  and  he  sent  my 
brother,  John,  back  with  the  horse  and  sleigh  to  meet  and  take 
those  two  younsf  men  and  carrv  them  to  Brunswick.  Thus  bv 
his  kindness  they  were  helped  along  some  thirteen  miles,  and 
welcomed  home  perhaps  by  parents  and  sisters. 

A  few  years  after  this,  I  started  away  cook  of  a  coaster,  and 
after  this  I  was  away  so  much  that  the  time  spent  at  home  seemed 
more  like  visits.  I  well  remember  the  time  when  I  was  nineteen 
years  and  four  months  old  that  I  was  promoted  from  being  a 
common  sailor  to  mate  of  the  same  vessel  and  with  the  same  Cap- 
tain. How  pleased  my  father  was.  I  well  remember  the  lesson 
he  gave  me  in  discipline.  He  said;  "You  are  just  starting  to  be 
an  officer  of  a  vessel  and  what  you  do  in  the  future  depends  on 


12 

the  way  you  begin.  Eemember  that  you  are  the  Captain's 
mate  and  it  is  your  duty  to  strive  to  please  him,  and  as  to  the 
sailors,  be  sure  that  you  are  never  any  mate  to  them,  never  have 
any  conversation  with  them  unless  you  tell  them  to  do  some- 
thing, then  be  sure  that  you  speak  loud  enough,  so  that  they  can 
hear,  and  never  repeat  the  order  or  receive  a  back  answer/* 
Also  when  I  became  master  he  was  pleased  for  I  was  quite 
young, — in  my  twenty-second  year.  Then  he  had  to  give  me 
some  good  advice.  One  thing  he  told  me  I  have  always  remem- 
bered and  practised, — never  to  carry  any  more  sail  on  the  vessel 
in  thick  and  heavy  weather  than  what  I  could  haul  off  with, 
and  always  be  sure  to  keep  the  vessel  under  such  canvas  as  I 
could  handle  and  keep  command  of  her. 

I  was  only  at  home  during  short  intervals  up  to  the  year  '41. 
Then  having  a  new  vessel  built  for  me  at  Yarmouth,  I  came 
home  to  take  charge  of  her  some  little  while  before  she  was 
launched.  Mv  brother  William  was  then  at  home.  He  was 
taken  ill  with  the  typhus  fever  and  died  in  September,  '41.  We 
returned  from  the  cemetery  after  leaving  him  there,  and  went  to 
the  house, — sisters  with  their  husbands  and  some  other  kind 
friends  filled  the  room.  My  father  not  being  there,  I  went  to 
find  him,  to  the  barn  and  elsewhere.  One  of  my  little  sisters, 
probably  Isabella,  told  me  she  saw  him  going  down  across  the 
field.  I  started  in  the  direction  indicated  and  as  I  came  near 
the  bank  of  the  intervale,  I  saw  him  sitting  on  the  edge  of  the 
bank  under  a  small  oak  tree,  his  head  in  his  hands.  As  I  drew 
near,  I  heard  his  groans.  I  think  I  reached  him  before  he  was 
aware  that  any  one  was  near  him,  laid  my  hand  on  his  shoulder 
and  said,  "Father."  He  turned  his  face  and  looked  towards 
me ; — no  tears,  but  that  distressed  look  of  grief,  I  well  remember. 
He  said  to  me,  "Benjamin," — and  I  think  it  was  'twenty-seven' 
he  said, —  "Benjamin,  twenty-seven  days  ago  I  sat  where  I  now 
am,  and  your  brother  William  was  on  this  tree  with  a  saw.  I 
told  him  which  limbs  to  saw  off.  When  be  was  through  he  came 
down,  and  I  said  to  him,  'William,  I  want  you  to  keep  this  tree 
to  remember  me  by;'  but  now  he  is  gone  and  we  have  it  to  re- 
member him  by."  In  saying  these  last  words  he  broke  com- 
pletely down  and  gave  way  to  his  feelings,  which  was  the  first  of 
the  kind  that  I  had  ever  seen  in  my  father. 

Fifty-seven  years  have  passed,  and  this  tree  has  grown  to  be 

quite  a  large  oak,  and  when  I  visit  the  home-place,  I  go  to  that 

spot  under  the  tree,  stand  upon  the  place  where  my  father  sat, 

and  the  scenes  that  I  passed  through  then  with  him  so  many  years 

ago,  are  fresh  in  my  mind.     I  make  arrangements  with  every 


13 

one  who  lives  at  the  home-place  never  to  cut  the  tree  down,  as  I 
wish  it  to  remain  through  mine  and  my  only  sister's  life;  and 
others  that  come  after  can  visit  it  and  be  told  of  its  story, 

I  remember  the  first  time  that  one  little  lad  that  calls  me 
grandfather  visited  the  cemetery  with  me  and  his  mother.  He  is 
named  for  my  brother  William  Webster  Hight.  I  took  him  from 
his  mother's  arms  as  she  sat  in  the  carriage,  carried  him  to  this 
grave,  and  he  held  on  to  the  headstone,  then  he  took  a  few  steps, 
not  thinking  nor  knowing  that  the  one  he  was  named  for  was 
buried  in  earth  beneath  his  feet.  I  carried  him  back  to  the  car- 
riage and  placed  him  again  in  his  mother's  lap.  She  said, 
'^That  is  the  first  time  that  he  ever  took  a  step  on  his  feet  out 
doors."  Since  then,  the  last  time  I  took  him  there  he  was  seven 
years  old.  He  stood  again  by  the  headstone  while  I  told  him  the 
story  of  the  one  he  was  named  for.  Then  I  took  him  by  the  hand 
and  led  him  to  this  oak  tree.  We  sat  down  there  while  I  told 
him  the  story  that  is  written  above.  I  am  in  hopes  to  visit  that 
place  many  times  with  him  as  he  grows  older,  and  in  hopes  the 
story  will  make  that  impression  upon  his  mind  that  will  always 
be  remembered  by  him,  and  that  he  will  continue  in  his  man- 
hood to  visit  the  sacred  spot  where  the  one  lies  that  he  is  named 
for,  and  that  he  may  visit  the  old  oak  tree,  and  tell  the  story  to 
those  that  are  younger  than  he. 

My  father  was  subject  to  severe  attacks  of  the  rheumatism. 
As  he  was  recovering  from  one  of  these,  he  loaded  up  his  wagon 
with  corn  and  rye  and  started  for  the  mill.  As  he  came  near  the 
mill,  going  down  a  hill  the  breeching  or  iron  that  it  is  hooked 
to,  gave  way  and  brought  the  wagon  upon  the  horse.  The  horse 
started  upon  a  run.  As  he  came  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the  mill 
was  on  the  right,  and  there  was  a  horse-shed  with  an  open  front 
a  little  on  the  left.  If  the  horse  had  continued  straight  ahead 
he  would  have  gone  into  the  river,  and  horse,  carriage  and  man 
would  have  gone  over  the  dam.  But  with  great  presence  of  mind 
he  turned  the  horse  to  the  left  into  the  shed.  As  he  entered 
the  shed  my  father  rose  up  and  threw  his  arms  over  a  brace  of 
the  shed,  and  was  jerked  out  of  the  wagon  in  a  twinkling.  He 
let  go  of  the  brace  and  dropped  down.  The  miller  ran  to  him, 
got  hold  of  him  and  helped  him  up,  and  said  "Captain  Webster, 
are  you  hurt?"  His  reply  was  "My  folks  was  very  much  con- 
sarned  how  I  was  going  to  get  out  of  this  wagon ;  I'd  like  to  see 
the  man  who  could  do  it  quicker  than  I  have."  When  the 
horse's  head  went  towards  the  back  of  the  shed  he  stove  off  the 
boards  and  the  horse's  breast  brought  up  against  the  girth. 
This  strong  girth  prevented  him  from  going  into  the  river. 


14 

I  have  all  these  circumstances  from  the  miller,  who  witnessed 
the  whole  transaction  and  told  me.  His  grist  was  ground,  loaded 
by  the  miller,  and  my  father  came  home  and  lay  down  on  the 
lounge  looking  pale  and  appearing  exhausted.  My  mother  got 
something  for  him  to  take,  and  told  him  "I  knew  all  the  time  that 
you  weren't  in  a  situation  to  go  to  the  mill,  and  now  I  think  you 
begin  to  realize  it  yourself."  I  was  there  and  heard  these  remarks. 
My  father  did  not  make  much  of  any  reply,  but  let  them  have 
their  own  way  of  talking  and  thinking,  not  telling  of  the  great 
peril  he  had  passed  through.  I  think  it  was  days  before  they 
knew. 

I  hold  in  my  hand  my  father's  staff;  fifty-seven  years  ago 
I  brought  this  piece  of  granadilla  wood  from  the  West  Indies  to 
New  York,  and  had  the  staff  turned  out  and  sent  it  to  him.  He 
used  it  through  the  remainder  of  his  life  and  prized  it  very  highly 
because  his  son  sent  it  to  him.  If  possible  I  prize  it  more  than 
he  did  because  it  was  the  staff  of  mv  father.  I  often  think  whom 
it  will  be  handed  down  to  after  I  am  done  with  it.  I  hope  that 
it  may  be  kept  for  generations  so  that  the  story  of  the  staff  can 
be  told  to  some  vet  unborn. 

The  pitcher  that  is  on  the  bracket  in  my  sitting-room  wa& 
brought  home  by  my  father  in  1801.  In  the  spring  of  1861  my 
father  and  mother  came  to  my  house  in  Yarmouth  to  make  me  a 
visit.  Before  he  went  into  the  house  he  went  to  the  sleigh,  took 
out  the  pitcher  well  wrapped  up  and  guarded  so  it  shouldn't 
break.  As  he  took  it  out  he  stripped  the  wrapping  from  it,  and 
handed  it  to  me,  saying,  "I  wanted  to  be  sure  that  you  had  this." 

I  think  it  was  the  winter  of  1860  that  my  father  was  quite 
ill  all  winter,  and  I  used  to  go  there  often,  and  found  him  quite 
discouraged  and  down  at  the  heel.  The  doctor  that  attended  him 
was  a  neighbor  of  mine  in  Yarmouth.  I  saw  him  drive  into  his 
doorway  one  very  cold  day,  and,  thinking  thai  he  had  been  at  my 
father's  I  went  out  and  said  to  him,  "Doctor,  have  you  been  up  to 
father's?"  "Yes."  "How  did  you  find  him?"  "Well  Captain, 
your  father  is  an  old  man ;"  was  the  reply ;  "I  am  in  hopes  to  \\k. 
him  up  so  that  he  will  get  out  in  the  Spring,  but  I  tell  you  he  is 
an  old  man."  I  took  it  that  he  thought  he  couldn't  do  any  more 
for  him. 

Previous  to  this  some  six  or  twelve  months,  a  neighbor  came 
into  mv  house  and  said,  "When  I  came  down  from  Montreal 
I  brought  a  case  of  whiskey,  and  I  know  it  to  be  good,  and  I  want 
you  to  have  a  bottle  of  it."  When  I  returned  from  the  Doctoi 
I  told  my  wife  what  he  had  said  and  told  her  I  was  going  to 
carry  that  bottle  of  whiskey  up  to  him.     She  brought  the  bottle 


'Oil 

.'AN 

o       1 
o  ■»  o  :) 

'    3    ' 

5   >   3    3 
OO  o   5 


•  O   13 


''55 


'  5  >   J 

".V 

,'  ' '  1 


'  '  ) 


15 

of  whiskey  to  me  and  I  drew  the  cork,  and  she  probably  turned 
out  two  or  three  tablespoonfuls,  and  added  as  much  lavender. 
This  wa;:^  merely  to  give  it  a  coloring  so  that  he  should  not  dis- 
cover that  it  was  whiskey.  So  I  harnessed  my  horse  and  drove 
three  and  a  half  miles  to  my  father's.  It  was  very  cold,  I  put 
u]»  my  horse,  went  into  the  house  and  found  my  father  sitting 
in  a  big  chair  all  wrapped  up  in  blankets  or  shawls.  I  said, 
"lather,  how  are  }0u?"  His  reply  was,  "0  Benjamin,  I  have 
got  almost  through."  Mother  says  "The  doctor's  medicine 
doesn't  do  him  any  good  and  he  is  all  down  at  the  heel."  My 
reply  was  "0  don't  feel  that  way,  father,  I've  got  some  medicine 
here  that  is  going  to  help  you.  A  friend  of  mine  brought  it  from 
Montreal,  and  gave  me  this  bottle  months  ago.  Xow,  mother, 
get  me  a  glass  and  a  little  water,  some  sugar  and  a  tablespoon.'^ 
I  mixed  the  water  and  sugar,  then  measured  out  very  carefully 
perhaps  two  tablespoonfuls.  "There,"  said  I,  "Father,  take  this 
down;  this  is  the  medicine  that  is  going  to  help  you."  He  took 
it  down  at  once,  suspecting  that  it  might  be  something  unpleasant 
to  the  taste,  but  when  the  glass  was  emptied  he  smacked  his  lips 
and  said,  "Benjamin,  there's  spirits  in  that."  "I  don't  care  if 
thtie  is,  I  know  that  it  is  going  to  do  you  good.  Mother,  you  see 
iiist  how  I  have  prepared  this,  I  want  you  to  give  him  just  about 
the  same  liiiee  times  a  day."  I  went  there  often  and  soon  dis- 
covered  (hat  be  was  gradually  gaining  in  health.  He  went  on 
taking  the  medicine  till  it  was  all  gone,  then  h?  was  out  doors 
attending  to  his  Spring's  work.  My  mother  says  to  me  "Can't 
you  get  another  bottle  of  that  medicine  for  father  ?  He  doesn't 
need  it  now,  but  should  he  get  down  again  I  should  like  to  have 
it  in  the  house."  He  lived  over  two  years  after  this  and  my 
mother  four.  They  both  died  and  never  mistrusted  that  this 
medicine  was  nothing  but  whiskey. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MY    BOYHOOD. 

In  1861  I  took  charge  of  a  ship  that  I  owned  half  of  and  was 
absent  almost  three  years.  My  father  died  in  my  absence,  in 
November  '62,  and  on  my  return  we  erected  a  monument  to  his 
memory.  Since  then  I  have  put  a  granite  base  around  the  fam- 
ily lot.  I  visit  it  in  the  summer  time  and  see  that  this  family 
lot  is  well  cared  for. 

I  was  born  February  25,  1814.  I  suppose  that  I  was  like  all 
other  boys  brought  up  with  a  large  family  and  attended  a  dis- 
trict school,  probably  as  early  as  five  years  old,  and  had  to  walk 
about  a  mile,  carrying  a  lunch.  The  roads  were  but  little  trav- 
eled, so  that  the  snow  was  often  ankle-deep  and  sometimes  half 
way  to  the  knees.  As  the  direction  of  the  schoolhouse  was  about 
north,  we  had  to  face  those  cold  northwest  and  notheast  winds 
which  we  often  found  very  tedious.  One  very  cold  morning  we 
were  within  about  one-eight  of  a  mile  of  the  schoolhouse,  I  was 
completely  chilled  and  became  very  sleepy  and  tumbled  down. 
My  sister  Hannah,  being  always  in  the  right  place  at  the  right 
time,  pulled  me  up,  and  she  and  my  sister  Rachel  one  on  each 
side,  hastened  me  along  almost  more  dead  than  alive  to  the  school- 
house.  What  a  situation  this  was  to  begin  a  day  of  study  at 
school  in. 

Our  winter  schools  were  from  eight  to  ten  weeks,  summer 
schools  about  the  same  length.  I  never  attended  summer  schools 
much,  for  as  soon  as  I  was  able  to  be  any  use  on  the  farm  I  was 
kept  at  home.  My  father  was  generally  away  summers,  and  the 
management  of  everything  came  upon  my  mother.  She  was  a 
great  financier,  and  understood  the  management  of  things  well. 
If  she  had  not  been  so,  she  would  not  have  been  able  to  bring  up 
the  family  of  children  that  she  did  on  the  means  that  she  had, 
and  make  the  good  appearance  she  did  with  them. 

I  remember  one  time  I  was  sent  on  an  errand  with  the  horse 
and  wagon,  about  a  mile  away  from  home.  I  had  done  the  er- 
rand, got  into  the  wagon  and  started  for  home.  Going  down  the 
hill  the  horse  started  on  a  run.  I  braced  my  feet  and  held  on  the 
reins  with  all  the  strength  and  vigor  that  any  other  eight  year 
old  boy  could  have  done,  but  still,  making  a  turn,  out  I  went  and 
one  of  the  wagon  wheels  passed  over  my  bare  foot.     The  horse 


17 

had  turned  up  the  road  out  of  sight,  but  I  up  and  ran  after  him. 
As  I  went  round  the  turn  of  the  road,  I  saw  a  man  had  stopped 
the  horse  and  held  him  by  the  head.  I  ran  until  I  came  up  with 
them,  got  into  the  wagon,  drove  home,  unharnessed  the  horse  and 
put  him  in  the  pasture,  and  gave  my  mother  the  answer  to  the 
errand  upon  which  I  had  been  sent.  I  did  not  dare  to  say  a  word 
about  being  thrown  out  of  the  wagon,  for  fear  that  I  would  not 
be  trusted  away  with  the  horse  again.  This  was  about  the  season 
of  hoeing  the  potatoes,  and  I  used  to  work  in  the  field  alone,  my 
foot  paining  me  terribly.  After  about  three  days  I  told  a  boy 
the  whole  circumstances;  he  told  a  woman,  a  neighbor  of  ours 
about  it,  how  my  foot  pained  me  and  that  I  could  hardly  walk, 
but  that  still  when  I  came  in  sight  of  my  mother  I  straightened 
up  and  walked  as  though  I  was  all  right  in  every  joint.  This 
woman  came  down  and  told  my  mother  all  about  it.  Nothing 
was  said  till  I  came  from  the  field,  when  to  my  surprise  my 
mother  related  all  the  circumstances  to  me.  I  don't  remember 
just  what  she  said,  but  I  do  believe  that  there  were  fully  as  many 
hills  of  potatoes  hoed  as  though  I  had  not  fallen  out  of  the  wagon. 

Another  adventure  I  had  with  this  horse  and  carriage.  I  was 
going  on  an  errand  and  a  young  man  in  the  neighborhood  helped 
me  harness  the  horse.  When  the  horse  was  harnessed,  I  well  re- 
member telling  him  that  the  horse  was  too  near  the  wagon  and 
that  the  tugs  ought  to  be  lengthened  out  and  the  breeching  taken 
up.  He  said  it  was  all  right  and  I  started  off.  Going  down  the 
first  hill  the  wagon  came  upon  the  horse  and  he  started  on  a  run. 
As  I  was  ascending  the  next  hill,  standing  up  and  holding  on  with 
all  my  might,  to  check  the  horse, — all  to  no  purpose,  I  discovered 
two  young  women  one  of  whom  had  a  sled-stake  perhaps  four  or 
five  feet  long.  As  the  horse  came  up  she  struck  him  squarely  in 
the  head  with  this  stake.  I  think  the  horse  went  on  his  knees,  and 
I  went  sprawling  on  the  ground.  These  young  women  helped 
me  fix  the  harness  right  and  1  proceeded  safely,  did  my  errand 
and  returned  home.  I  never  told  my  mother  of  this  and  don't 
think  she  ever  heard  of  this  adventure.  I  have  always  remem- 
bered with  the  kindliest  feelings  this  young  woman  who  displayed 
such  presence  of  mind.  She  afterward  married  and  lived  in 
Bangor, — is  now   deceased. 

I  had  many  other  adventures  with  this  horse.  '  One  time  he 
was  unharnessed  from  the  wagon.  I  got  on  him  to  drive  him 
to  the  pasture.  He  started  on  a  run,  and  off  I  went.  He  either 
stepped  on  me  or  kicked  me,  and  made  the  blood  come.  I  have 
marks  of  the  wound  still,  although  they  were  received  perhaps 
seventy-four  or  seventy-five  years  ago.     The  horse  went  to  the 


18 

bars  and  stopped ;  I  let  the  bars  down,  took  the  bridle  from  him, 
and  went  home  with  my  face  bleeding.  Another  time  I  went  to 
put  him  in  the  pasture,  and  he  started  on  a  run,  leaped  over  the 
bars,  off  I  went,  and  the  horse  we  never  got  for  three  days.  I 
don't  remember  anything  about  the  bridle. 

I  remember  one  more  incident  with  this  horse.  I  was  sent 
to  mill.  The  bags  of  grain  placed  upon  the  horse's  back,  and 
I  on  top  of  them,  jogged  off  to  the  mill,  three  and  a  half  miles. 
I  rode  right  into  the  mill,  the  miller  took  the  bags  from  the 
horse,  I  led  the  horse  to  the  shed;  then  when  the  grist  was 
ground  I  led  the  horse  into  the  mill  again,  the  miller  placed  the 
bags  on  the  horse  and  me  on  top  of  them.  I  went  home, 
doubtless  feeling  smart  as  though  I  was  doing  the  work  of  a  man, 
although  not  over  nine  years  old. 

In  my  school  days  I  had  to  walk  home  a  mile,  and, — my  father 
being  absent, — some  of  the  time  I  had  to  do  all  the  work  of  the 
farm  in  his  stead,  such  as  to  put  up  the  cattle,  consisting  of  a 
yoke  of  oxen,  three  or  four  cows,  two  or  three  young  cattle,  feed 
them,  get  in  a  big  pile  of  wood  for  the  large  fireplace,  all  before 
supper,  although  it  might  not  be  before  dark. 

So  things  went  on  probably  much  the  same  as  with  the  other 
boys  until  the  summer  I  was  ten  years  old.  What  work  was  done  on 
the  farm  was  hired  by  the  day  except  what  I  did.  Well  do  I  re- 
member the  lonely  days  I  spent  hoeing  corn  and  potatoes  by  my- 
self. When  it  came  fall  I  had  them  to  dig.  One  day  I  had  the 
sled  with  flour  barrels  on  it  at  the  potato  patch,  and  had  been  dig- 
ging and  filling  the  barrels ;  then  when  they  were  full,  I  got  the 
oxen  and  put  them  on  the  sled  to  haul  them  to  the  house.  The 
oxen  feeling  that  they  were  overloaded,  I  worked  away  with  them, 
geeing  and  hawing,  but  made  but  very  little  progress.  Mother 
seeing  how  things  were,  sent  one  of  the  little  girls  down  to  me 
with  the  message,  that  it  was  of  no  use  for  me  to  try  any  longer, 
but  dig  a  hole  in  the  ground  and  empty  the  potatoes  all  in 
and  cover  them  up  so  they  shouldn't  freeze.  Xow  this  was  half 
a  day's  work  for  a  man.  I  had  been  getti*ng  angry  because  the 
oxen  wouldn't  haul  the  load,  and  when  this  message  came  from 
my  mother,  it  made  me  feel  as  though  my  anger  was  more  than 
I  could  contain,  as  those  oxen  realized  by  the  welts  that  I  put 
on  to  them  with  the  goad;  as  strength  often  comes  with  anger, 
those  oxen  started,  and  we  went  to  the  house,  oxen  were  taken 
off  and  put  up,  and  potatoes  put  into  the  cellar.  This  day's  work 
was  not  ended  until  after  dark. 

The  next  summer,  father  being  away,  we  went  on  farming  as 
usual.     In  the  fall  I  got  some  time  to  hire  out  with  a  neighbor, 


19 

digging  potatoes  at  a  quarter  of  a  dollar  a  day.  I  earned  in  all 
something  over  a  dollar.  I  was  paid  and  felt  pleased  with  the 
amount  of  money  I  had,  the  first  that  I  had  ever  earned  and  had 
been  paid  in  my  life.  Now  comes  my  stupidity  and  my  mother's 
great  financiering.  I  claimed  this  as  my  money ;  she  says  "0  now 
we'll  sell  you  a  lamb.^'  So  I  was  pleased  and  paid  her  over  all 
the  money  for  a  spring  lamb.  There  was  a  certain  mark  on  it 
so  that  it  was  known  as  my  lamb.  Things  went  on,  and  the  lamb 
grew  to  be  a  sheep.  Increase  came,  till  I  thought  I  had  a  number 
of  sheep.  Being  absent  from  home  all  summer,  stopping  at  home 
the  winter,  I  began  to  enquire  for  my  sheep  and  lambs.  "0," 
my  mother  said,  "we  sold  the  sheep  with  the  others  we  sold." 
"Well,  about  my  lambs,  where  are  they  ?"  "0  they  are  so  mixed 
up  with  the  others  you  can't  tell  them  apart."  Thus  ended  the 
first  business  transaction  of  my  life. 

Our  nearest  neighbor  was  about  two-hundred  yards  away, 
across  the  road,  and  within  speaking  distance.  These  people  never 
owned  a  timepiece  of  any  kind,  and  it  was  a  common  thing  to 
hear  them  call  from  their  door  to  ask  what  time  it  was.  The 
mother  raised  up  a  large  family.  The  husband  was  always  away 
summers  in  the  coasting  business,  and  the  boys  were  grown  up 
and  all  gone  away,  and  at  the  time  of  which  I  speak  the  family 
consisted  of  the  mother  who  was  crazy  and  the  two  daughters 
from  eighteen  to  twenty-four  years  of  •  age.  I  think  this  was 
the  summer  that  I  was  seven  years  old.  My  mother  called  me 
one  morning  early  and  said,  "Run  quick  for  Mr.  Chase,  for  Mrs. 
Loring  is  beating  the  girls  terribly."  I  out  of  bed  and  grabbed 
my  pants,  stopping  for  nothing  else.  As  I  went  by  the  house 
the  crazy  woman  had  the  two  girls  by  the  hair  of  their  heads, 
having  it  all  twisted  in  her  hands  so  that  their  ^f aces  were  close 
together,  while  she  slapped  them  in  their  faces  with  a  shoe.  I 
was  but  a  few  rods  from  the  house,  when  I  saw  Mr.  Chase  turn- 
ing his  cows  into  the  pasture,  I  hollered  at  the  top  of  my  voice, 
"Come  quick !  Mrs.  Loring  is  killing  the  girls  !"  He  didn't 
stop  to  put  up  the  bars,  but  started  on  the  run.  Before  he  came 
up  with  me  I  had  time  to  put  on  my  pants.  We  ran  together, 
and  I  well  remember  how  he  grabbed  that  crazy  woman  by  the 
throat.  His  grasp  was  so  strong,  that  there. appeared  to  be  but 
one  alternative  for  her, — to  let  go  of  the  girls'  hair  or  be  choked 
to  death.     She  chose  the  former. 

At  another  time  this  crazy  woman  had  an  encounter  with  me. 
I  and  another  boy  about  a  year  older  than  myself  were  digging 
potatoes,  and  she  came  out  and  ordered  us  away.  As  we  didn't 
go  immediately,  she  started  on  a  run  after  us.     The  other  bov 


20 

dropped  his  hoe  and  ran,  but  as  I  didn't  choose  to  run  she  grabbed 
me  and  was  giving  me  a  terrible  shaking,  while  at  a  small  dis- 
tance away  the  other  boy  began  to  pelt  her  with  potatoes,  being 
however,  as  liable  to  hit  me  as  he  was  her.  How  I  released  my- 
self from  her  I  hardly  know,  but  as  soon  as  I  was,  I  joined  the 
other  boy  in  pelting  her  with  potatoes,  and  she  was  soon  driven 
from  the  field.  I  remember  one  other  incident  with  regard  to 
this  crazy  woman.  It  seems  that  her  daughters  were  preparing 
for  baking  and  had  a  fire  in  the  brick  oven  in  the  kitchen.  One 
of  my  little  sisters  went  in  and  the  crazy  woman  started  toward 
her,  and  said,  "I'll  put  you  into  that  oven."  One  of  the  kitchen 
windows  being  open  she  leaped  through  the  window,  and  in  one 
bound  was  safe  on  the  ground,  and  ran  for  home  terribly  fright- 
ened. 


CHAPTER  V. 

SEA    LIFE    COMMENCED. 

The  spring  that  I  was  twelve  years  old,  I  walked  from  my 
father's  house  three  miles  and  a  half  and  went  on  board  of  a 
coaster,  and  commenced  my  new  occupation  as  cook  at  $4.50  per 
month.  Our  first  trip  was  to  Plymouth,  Mass.  I  well  remem- 
ber on  our  return  that  I  went  home  to  spend  the  night,  and 
doubtless  I  felt  as  though  I  had  accomplished  a  great  achieve- 
ment. Doubtless  this  trip  to  Plymouth  seemed  more  to  me  than 
the  one  later  in  life  in  which  I  made  a  voyage  to  Europe  and 
back  again.  The  vessel  that  I  began  going  to  sea  in  was  the  sloop 
Friendship,  forty-three  years  old.  I  continued  in  her  making 
trips  to  different  places,  going  once  to  Newburyport:  As  the 
Captain  was  not  acquainted  there  we  had  to  wait  outside  the  bar 
until  a  pilot  came.  I  well  remember  all  the  marks  that  the  pilot 
told  the  captain, — how  to  go  over  the  bar, — all  the  ranges  and 
marks  from  the  bar  to  the  city,  and  I  remember  it  all  as  distinctly 
as  if  it  were  but  a  few  weeks  ago,  instead  of  seventy  years.  Thir- 
teen years  afterwards  I  was  master  of  a  vessel  from  New  Orleans, 
deeply  loaded  with  a  cargo  of  corn,  pork  and  lard  for  Newbury- 
port.  I  carried  my  vessel  in  over  the  bar  and  up  to  the  wharf 
and  out  without  a  pilot,  going  by  the  marks  and  ranges  that  I 
heard  the  pilot  describe  to  the  Captain  thirteen  years  before. 

About  the  month  of  July,  the  owners  of  the  vessel  that  I  was 
in  had  built  a  schooner  and  named  her  the  Lucy.  They  took  me 
from  this  sloop  and  made  me  cook  of  the  schooner,  at  an  advance 
in  wages  of  50  cents  per  month  making  $5.  We  continued  coasting 
to  different  places.  One  of  our  trips  was  to  New  York,  with  a 
cargo  of  granite.  This  was  used  towards  building  the  U.  S. 
hotel. 

I  well  remember  one  Sunday  afternoon  that  I  had  liberty  and 
felt  as  though  I  should  like  to  go  to  church.  I  strolled  round 
and  by  enquiring  found  out  where  the  seaman's  Bethel  was.  We 
had  to  go  up  some  three  to  five  steps  to  enter  the  door.  I  stood 
there  not  having  confidence  enough  to  go  in ;  although  there  were 
people  going  in  all  the  time,  no  one  took  any  notice  of  me.  At 
last  a  gentleman  came  along— I  remember  him  well — stopped  and 
spoke  to  me  and  asked  me  if  I  wouldn't  go  in  to  meeting.     I 


22 

think  he  took  me  by  the  hand  and  led  me  to  a  seat  up  the  center 
aisle  a  few  seats  from  the  pulpit.  Then  he  went  into  the  pulpit. 
I  often  went  to  hear  this  man  preach.  Sixteen  years  afterwards 
I  went  there  to  meeting  again.  I  waited  till  the  minister — the 
same  man,  Kev.  Mr.  Chase — came  from  the  pulpit,  then  made  my 
business  known  to  him.  That  night  he  married  me  to  the  woman 
that  I  lived  with  fifty-one  years  and  two  months. 

Late  in  the  fall,  the  schooner  went  up  Royal's  River,  to  what 
is  called  Davis'  Landing  to  load  with  another  cargo  of  granite 
for  New  York.  To  get  up  this  narrow  river  we  have  to  work 
tide-work — have  a  rope  out  on  each  bow  of  the  vessel  and  men  on 
the  salt  marsh  hauling  her  up  by  these  ropes.  One  night  while 
we  were  getting  her  up  shortly  before  daylight  I  had  to  go  and 
pull  on  these  ropes  as  well  as  the  men,  although  not  thirteen  years 
old.  When  I  jumped  out  of  the  boat  on  to  the  salt-marsh,  I 
jumped  into  ice  perhaps  as  thick  as  window-glass  that  had  made 
along  the  edge  of  the  marsh  and  I  was  barefooted. 

When  this  vessel  was  loaded  to  go  away  I  left  her  to  stop  ashore 
to  go  to  school  perhaps  eight  or  ten  weeks.  In  all  this  time  I 
had  drawn  not  any  of  my  wages,  but  as  there  were  no  steam- 
boats or  railroads  at  that  time,  we  frequently  had  a  passenger 
or  two.  Sometimes  they  would  give  me  a  little  change.  Days 
after  I  came  home,  my  father  went  to  Yarmouth,  as  I  believe, 
to  settle  up  with  the  owner  of  the  vessel  and  get  my  wages.  He 
came  home  and  we  got  our  supper,  and  as  we  were  sitting 
around  the  old-fashioned  kitchen  fire,  he  took  out  his  pocketbook 
and  handed  it  to  my  mother,  saying  "Here  Mary,  put  this  in  the 
desk."  She  went  with  it  into  the  other  room,  and  came  out  and 
handed  me  a  quarter  of  a  dollar.  This  is  what  I  received  from 
my  eight  months'  work  as  cook  of  a  coaster.  This  seems  but 
a  small  amount  in  these  days  for  a  boy  to  have  to  last  him 
through  the  winter. 

Early  in  the  spring  I  started  again  as  cook  on  board  the 
schooner  Milo,  Captain  David  Seabury  of  Yarmouth.  In  about 
ten  months  Captain  Seabury  gave  her  up  to  Captain  William 
Chandler.  I  remained  through  the  whole  summer,  then  Captain 
Chandler  got  a  larger  vessel,  and  I  went  with  him  away  for  the 
winter.  For  the  next  five  years  I  was  in  different  vessels,  some 
of  the  time  fishing  and  some  of  the  time  coasting. 

In  March,  1832, 1  came  to  Portland  looking  round  the  wharves, 
and  found  the  brig  Globe.  She  was  called  quite  a  large  vessel 
for  those  days — three-hundred  and  eighteen  tons,  and  carried  a 
crew  of  eight  men  besides  the  officers.     I  found  out  where  the 


23 

owner  lived,  and  went  to  his  house  knocked  or  rang  the  bell ; 
the  owner  himself,  who  was  Captain  Samuel  Porter,  formerly  of 
Freeport,  and  who  had  built  this  vessel  in  Freeport,  come  to  the 
door.  I  made  known  that  I  wanted  a  chance  to  go  in  his 
vessel.  "Where  do  you  belong  ?"  said  he.  I  replied  "Freeport." 
"What^s  your  name?"  "Webster."  "Are  you  Captain  Ben. 
Webster's  boy?"  "I  am."  I  made  arrangements  with  him  to 
come  down  and  join^the  vessel  the  next  week.  Before  I  left  him, 
I  wanted  to  know  how  much  wages  he  would  give  me.  "0,"  he 
said,  "I  shall  give  you  what  is  right,"  or  words  to  that  effect. 

I  came  down  at  the  appointed  time,  and  carried  my  clothing 
on  board  the  vessel.  There  was  no  one  there  but  the  mate,  and 
so  I  went  to  the  owner's  house  again,  and  told  him  I  had  come  at 
the  time  appointed.  "Well,"  he  said,  "I  suppose  you  want  two 
or  three  days  to  look  around  and  see  the  place?"  "No  sir,"  I 
replied,  "I  came  at  the  time  you  told  me,  and  I  have  no  money  to 
pay  my  expenses  to  be  idle."  "Well,^'  he  said,  "you  go  down 
aboard  the  vessel  and  I'll  be  down  soon."  He  soon  came  down 
and  had  a  talk  with  the  mate,  which  resulted  in  five  other  young 
fellows  and  a  cook  joining  the  vessel  the  next  morning.  We  went 
on  loading  this  vessel,  the  cargo  being  mostly  mackerel  and  hay, 
and  the  mate  acting  as  stevedore.  His  name  was  Hacker,  from' 
Brunswick,  an  excellent  sailor  man.  I  think  he  must  have  taken 
quite  a  liking  to  me  for  he  gave  me  a  great  deal  of  valuable  in- 
struction such  as  teaching  me  navigation  and  so  on.  We,  six 
young  fellows  and  the  mate,  did  all  the  work  in  loading  this 
vessel,  bent  all  her  sails  and  got  her  ready  for  sea.  Then  the 
other  men  were  shipped  and  the  second  mate  and  the  Captain  who 
was  Captain  Joseph  Dennison  of  Freeport,  and  we  sailed  for  Xew 
Orleans.  We  had  a  fifty-three  days'  passage  from  Portland  to 
New  Orleans. 

We  got  all  out  of  water  except  some  casks  between  decks  that 
had  been  aboard  the  vessel  all  winter  in  Portland  and  froze  up. 
But  as  we  had  been  in  warm  weather  so  long  they  had  thawed 
out,  and  we  had  to  commence  using  the  water  from  these.  But 
it  smelled  very  bad  and  tasted  worse  if  possible,  so  we  drank  very 
little,  only  enough  to  get  along  with.  After  we  arrived  in  New 
Orleans  these  casks  were  hoisted  out  on  deck,  and  the  water  ran 
out  of  them,  and  out  came  a  number  of  dead  rats,  the  hair  washed 
off  them  and  the  remainder  of  them  pretty  well  soaked  up. 
When  we  saw  this  many  of  us  turned  away  sick.  It  appears 
that  when  this  vessel  came  home  to  Portland  these  casks  were 
filled  with  water  and  the  bungs  being  left  out  the  rats  went  in  for 
water. 


24 

We  discharged  this  vessel  as  we  had  loaded  her  in  Portland, 
without  any  extra  hired  help,  then  loaded  with  cotton  for  Liver- 
pool. Before  we  left  New  Orleans,  it  became  very  sickly  with 
fever  and  cholera.  When  we  arrived  in  Liverpool  we  found  they 
had  the  cholera  very  bad  there,  but  we  all  escaped  it,  discharged 
our  cotton,  and  loaded  with  salt  for  Portland.  My  next  vessel 
that  I  joined  was  the  topsail  schooner  Mary.  I  was  in  her  some 
three  or  four  months  and  we  returned  to  Yarmouth,  where  all 
hands  and  the  mate  were  discharged  except  the  Captain  and  my- 
self. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

t 

MY    COMMENCEMENT    AS    MATE. 

•  He  offered  me  the  mate's  situation  and  I  accepted  it,  although 
but  a  few  months  over  nineteen  vears  old.  I  remained  with  this 
vessel  some  over  a  year ;  made  two  trips  to  Philadelphia  as  mate 
of  another  schooner,  then  joined  the  new  brig  Stranger,  Captain 
Clement  Soule  of  Freeport.  Eleven  months  after  I  joined  thi^» 
vessel  as  mate  we  were  loading  in  New  York  for  Mobile  in  the 
month  of  July,  and  Captain  Soule  offered  me  the  command  of 
this  vessel.  Then  I  was  about  twenty-one  years  and  six  months 
old.  I  told  him  that  I  could  not  accept  the  situation,  giving  as 
my  reasons  that  I  thought  that  I  had  not  had  experience  enough 
to  take  the  command  on  the  voyage  that  the  vessel  was  to  make. 
I  told  him  that  the  following  months  were  hurricane  months, 
and  if  I  was  master  and  should  become  dismasted  on  getting  into 
a  hurricane,  or  if  we  arrived  in  Mobile  and  the  crew  became  sick, 
it  being  the  sickly  season,  it  would  be  a  bad  beginning  for  me. 
I  told  him  that,  under  all  the  circumstances,  I  could  not  accept 
the  situation,  but  I  would  continue  mate  with  him  if  he  went  the 
voyage.  We  arrived  in  Mobile  safely  and  left  in  ballast  for  New 
York. 

Soon  after  we  got  to  sea  some  of  the  men  were  taken  down 
sick.  Then  I  was  taken  sick  soon  after.  With  so  many  of  us 
down  sick  there  was  not  enough  crew  to  handle  the  vessel,  and 
the  Captain  put  into  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  getting  some 
from  the  pilot  boat  to  get  the  vessel  in.  As  soon  as  he  arrived 
he  summoned  a  doctor  on  board  and  they  got  me  ashore  that 
night,  put  me  in  a  comfortable  room  in  a  public  house,  and  a 
negro  woman  for  a  nurse.  The  doctor  came  again  that  evening. 
I  did  not  have  my  senses  much  of  the  time  but  the  doctor  giving 
instructions  to  the  nurse,  I  heard  him  sav  to  her  "He  won't  live 
till  morning."  Next  morning  he  came  and  examined  me,  and 
said,  "You  are  better,  I  think  you  will  get  over  it."  My  brother 
William,  younger  than  myself,  was  one  of  the  crew.  Days  after 
as  I  grew  better,  I  enquired  of  the  Captain  where  my  brother 
William  was.  He  told  me  that  he  had  got  a  sail  loft  and  he  was 
there  with  the  rest  under  the  care  of  a  doctor.  I  urged  him  to 
get  a  room  in  the  house  where  I  was,  and  have  my  brother  come  up 


26 

there.  We  remained  there  till  we  were  convalescent,  and  re- 
turned to  the  vessel,  loaded  for  Boston,  and  arrived  there  and 
discharged  our  cargo,  then  sailed  for  home  in  Freeport. 

Perhaps  I  stayed  at  home  a  month  or  six  weeks  and  then  I 
joined  the  same  vessel  and  the  same  Captain  and  sailed  for  New 
York.  While  loading  there  for  Appalachicola,  I  was  taken  sick 
again,  and  had  the  chills  and  fever  badly,  so  that  I  had  to  leave 
and  come  home  to  my  father's.  I  was  then  not  twenty-two  years 
old.  I  remained  there  most  of  the  winter,  suffering  with  the 
chills  and  fever.    In  the  spring  I  came  to  Portland. 

Being  a  stranger  here  and  quite  young  for  a  chief  mate's  sit- 
uation, I  found  no  chance  in  that  capacity.  I  shipped  before 
the  mast  in  the  brig  Edward,  Captain  Melcher,  his  brother  being 
mate.  We  went  to  a  number  of  ports  in  the  Windward  Islands 
but  did  not  find  a  market  to  suit  him,  so  he  went  to  Saint  Jago. 
There  he  sold  the  cargo  and  took  a  freight  for  New  York,  it  be- 
ing a  cargo  of  molasses.  The  mate  being  sick  the  Captain  said 
to  me,  "Can  you  stow  this  cargo  ?"  "Yes,  sir,  if  you  will  go  down 
and  show  me  how  to  commence,  and  come  down  occasionally  and 
see  how  I  am  getting  along  and  give  me  all  the  instructions  you 
think  I  need,  I  can  do  it." 

This  cargo  was  stowed  in  that  way  and  all  delivered  in  good 
order,  no  casks  out,  although  I  had  never  seen  a  cask  of  molasses 
stowed.  We  came  to  New  York  and  discharged  on  the  quaran- 
tine ground.  One  morning  after  the  vessel  was  discharged,  the 
cook  came  forward  and  told  me  the  Captain  wanted  me.  I  went 
into  the  cabin  and  he  said : — "Sit  down  here  and  take  breakfast 
with  me.  I  am  going  to  make  a  mate  of  you."  I  told  him  I 
couldn't  accept  the  situation.  "There  are  those  men  forward," 
I  said,  "They  won't  feel  right  about  it  if  I  leave  them  and  come 
aft."  "0,"  he  said,  "I'll  fix  that."  So  he  told  the  cook  to  go 
and  tell  them  all  to  come  aft.  They  came  and  he  said  to  them  :— 
"I  am  going  to  take  Ben  for  mate,  and  he  will  be  Mr.  Webster 
in  the  future.  Now  which  had  you  rather,  that  he  should  be 
mate  of  this  vessel  in  which  you  are  going,  or  that  I  should  go 
and  get  a  stranger  ?"  It  was  their  unanimous  wish  that  I  should 
be  the  mate.  They  went  forward  to  their  breakfast,  and  I  to  the 
cabin  and  took  mine  with  the  Captain. 

We  made  one  voyage  and  returned  to  Portland.  Everything 
was  pleasant  between  the  Captain  and  me.  The  first  day  after 
"we  came  in  the  Captain  said  to  me : — "My  brother  has  always 
been  with  me  since  I  have  had  this  vessel  and  he  has  got  over  his 
sickness  and  wants  the  situation  again ;  but  I'll  get  you  a  situa- 
tion in  few  days."     So  I  picked  up,  and  started  for  Freeport  to 


27 

make  a  visit.  1  had  been  at  home  three  days  when  I  received  a 
letter  from  Captain  Melcher  to  come  to  Portland  at  once  for  he 
had  a  situation  for  me.  I  lost  no  time  in  complying  with  his  re- 
quest. On  my  arrival  here  he  introduced  me  to  Captain  Newton, 
brig  Rodney,  and  he  asked  me  many  questions,  he  being  a  man 
about  forty  years  old  and  well  posted  in  everything  relating  to 
master  and  mate's  duty.  After  he  had  put  all  the  questions  to 
me  that  he  thought  necessary,  and  it  appeared  that  they  were 
answered  satisfactory  to  him,  then  I  asked  what  my  wages  would 
be.  His  reply  was,  "I  shall  have  to  go  round  to  see  Captain 
Clapp  the  owner  of  the  vessel ;  he  will  arrange  that."  We  went  to 
his  counting-room  and  Captain  Newton  said,  ^^This  is  the  young 
man  we  sent  to  Freeport  for.  I  think  I  should  like  to  have  him 
but  he  wants  to  know  what  the  wages  are  to  be."  Captain 
Clapp's  reply  was,  "Twenty-five  dollars."  "But  I  want  thirty, 
sir,"  I  replied.  "Well,  you  can't  have  it  here,"  he  returned.  He 
was  a  rough  old  fellow  and  would  swear  at  every  word.  I  was 
glad  to  get  the  situation  and  agreed  to  join  the  vessel  the  next 
afternoon  at  four  o'clock.  1  went  to  Freeport  and  got  my  things 
and  was  there  before  the  time  appointed.  Captain  Newton  was 
on  board  the  vessel,  said  to  me,  after  I  had  got  all  my  things 
aboard :  "Now  if  you  want  to  go  up  and  get  any  things,  you  bet- 
ter go  now,  and  then  come  back  and  select  your  lines,  for  the 
vessel  will  have  to  be  put  into  the  stream  at  eleven  o'clock  to- 
night." 

As  I  was  going  up  the  wharf,  I  heard  some  one  hollering,  "You^ 
Mr.  Mate !"  I  looked  back  and  u.p,  and  there  was  Captain 
Clapp's  head  out  of  the  window.  He  said,  "Where  in  hell  are 
you  going  to  ?"  "Going  up  to  town,  sir,  and  I'll  be  back  at  the 
time  I  agreed  to, — four  o'clock."  "Well,  you  see  that  you  are !" 
So  I  went  up  the  wharf,  and  I  suppose  he  took  his  head  out  of 
the  window  for  I  didn't  see  him  any  more  till  the  next  morning. 
That  night  at  high  water  the  vessel  didn't  float,  and  the  next 
morning  Captain  Clapp  came  down  alongside  and  hollers  out, — • 
"You,  Mr.  Mate  ?  Is  the  Captain  here  ?"  "No,  sir."  "Did  he 
stay  here  last  night  ?"  "Yes,  sir."  "Where  is  he  now  ?"  "I 
suppose  he  is  after  his  breakfast."  "He's  a  damned  long  time 
a'getting  on  it." 

We  lay  tide-nipped  for  three  days.  In  that  time  I  began  to 
perceive  what  sort  of  a  man  the  Captain  was,  and  to  find  that  he 
was  a  "regular  Tartar."  We  had  not  reached  Cape  Elizabeth 
lights  before  I  began  to  realize  it.  I  saw  him  go  at  a  sailor  with 
a  piece  of  wood  two  feet  long.  Nothing  particular  occurred  on 
the  passage  and  we    arrived  at   Mayaguez,    Porto    Rico.      Our 


28 

cargo  was  lumber ;  it  had  to  be  made  into  rafts  and  towed  ashore. 
We  used  to  calculate  to  get  ashore  as  soon  as  it  was  light  enough 
to  see  the  marks  on  the  boards.  Then  this  lumber  had  to  be 
dragged  up  by  our  men  some  thirty  feet ;  each  man  as  he  dragged 
up  his  board  would  sing  out  the  mark  on  his  board,  I  keeping 
the  account  with  a  Spanish  clerk.  We  generally  arrived  back 
if  we  had  good  luck  at  about  nine  o'clock  or  ten  o'clock  A.  M. 
and  all  this  time, — perhaps  since  three  o'clock  in  the  morning — 
the  men  had  no  coffee  and  nothing  to  eat.  One  morning  in  par- 
ticular there  was  a  strong  land  breeze  so  that  we  were  a  long  time 
in  getting  the  raft  ashore  and  we  didn't  get  through  to  return  to 
the  vessel  till  after  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  As  I  returned  to  the 
vessel  with  six  men,  I  went  up  over  the  side,  and  the  Captain 
says  to  me — "Mr.  Webster,  you've  been  a  damned  long  time  this 
morning  getting  that  raft  hauled  up."  I  replied, — "There  was 
a  very  strong  land  breeze  this  morning  and  we  were  a  long  time 
getting  ashore."  "0  I've  been  watching  them  with  a  glass  this 
morning.  They  have  moved  like  a  parcel  of  lazy  crabs."  By 
that  time  the  men  were  on  deck.  I  said  "Cook,  give  the  men 
their  breakfast."  "Yes,"  said  the  Captain,  "and  may  God  grant 
that  it  chokes  every  damned  one  of  them  to  death." 

So  we  went  on  till  the  vessel  was  discharged;  late  breakfasts 
and  terribly  poor  living,  then  sailed  from  there  in  ballast  to  Wil- 
mington, and  arrived  there  safely.  The  men  couldn't  get  theif 
discharge,  because  they  were  shipped  for  a  double  voyage.  We 
loaded  there  again  to  return  to  Mayaguez.  On  going  out  the 
vessel  struck  on  the  bar,  and  started  leaking,  so  that  one  pump 
was  kept  going  about  all  the  time,  and  when  we  got  a  strong  wind 
the  Captain  felt  more  crabbed  than  he  did  some  other  times,  but 
never  pleasant.  Then  he  would  carry  sail  so  hard  that  the  ves- 
sel would  leak  so  badly  that  we  couldn't  keep  the  water  out  with 
one  pump,  and  she  would  get  considerable  water  in  her.  After 
a  while  he  would  say;  "Turn  all  hands  to  at  the  pumps."  No 
difference  was  made  whether  night  or  day,  both  pumps  would 
be  going  for  a  long  time,  and  perhaps  after  hours,  the  men  work^ 
ing  at  the  pumps  till  they  were  pretty  well  tired  out, — then  the 
Captain  would  order  sail  taken  off  the  vessel.  Then  the  vessel 
would  go  easier  and  we  could  get  the  water  out  of  the  vessel  and 
one  pump  would  keep  her  free.  This  is  the  way  that  a  number 
of  nights  were  passed, — hard  work,  poor  living,  and  not  time 
enough  to  sleep.  We  arrived  in  Mayaguez,  went  through  the 
same  as  the  voyage  before, — rafting  lumber,  getting  it  ashore, 
and  dragging  it  up.  Then  we  loaded  with  a  cargo  of  sugar  for 
New  York.     On  the  passage  to  New  York  there  was  trouble  be- 


29 

tween  the  Captain  and  me;  I  stood  his  abusive  language  for  a 
long  time,  then  I  told  him  '^the  hard  work  I  had  done  and  now 
I  am  receiving  nothing  but  abuse  from  you."  His  reply  was, 
'''Well  there's  one  thing  more  you  shall  receive  from  me ;  you  are 
no  longer  mate  of  this  vessel.  I  knock  you  off  duty  from  this 
miinute." 

That  ended  our  conversation  for  about  twenty-four  hours. 
Then  the  next  day  being  a  very  pleasant  day  he  says  to  me; — 
"Mr.  Webster,  don't  you  intend  to  do  any  more  duty  aboard  this 
vessel  ?"  "That  depends  altogether  with  you,  sir.  You  knocked 
me  off  duty  and  you  can  turn  me  to  when  you  want  me."  "I 
want  you  to  commence  your  duty  again  as  mate."  My  reply 
was,  "I  am  very  glad  to  do  it,  sir."  So  I  took  charge  of  the  men 
and  the  work  again.  Things  went  along  about  as  usual  and  we 
arrived  at  Xew  York  and  discharged  our  cargo  and  commenced 
loading  for  Mayaguez.  The  voyage  being  up  the  men  promptly 
left. 

One  rainy  day,  no  work  going  on,  the  Captain  came  on  board  in 
the  forenoon, — he  boarded  ashore  and  only  came  aboard  occas- 
ionally,— and  said  to  me,  "Mr.  Webster,  as  there's  no  work  going 
on  to-day,  you  better  make  out  a  list  of  all  the  ship  chandleries 
that  it  is  necessary  to  have."  I  said,  "Do  you  calculate  for  me 
to  go  in  this  vessel  another  voyage?"  "Certainly  I  do."  Then 
you  must  raise  my  wages  $5  a  month."  "Yes,  I  calculated  to  do 
it,  and  sliould  have  told  you  of  it  when  j^ou  came  to  ship  for  the 
voyage." 

We  5r>ailed  with  a  whole  new  crew, — I  think  not  more  than  half 
of  them  could  speak  English — and  a  cook  who  was  drunk  when  we 
left.  Aiter  he  got  over  his  drunken  spree  he  was  sick.  The 
Captain  used  to  beat  him  and  flog  him  shamefully.  One  day 
in  the  atternoon  I  went  by  the  galley  door  and  there  was  the 
cook  lying  on  the  floor.  I  spoke  to  him.  His  reply  was,  "0  Mr. 
Webster,  that  man  will  kill  me,  you  must  intercede  for  me !"  I 
went  into  the  cabin.  The  Captain  was  in  his  berth  asleep.  I 
spoke  to  him,  and  he  waked  up  and  said,  "What's  wanted  ?"  My 
reply  was,  "I  am  satisfied  that  the  cook  is  sick  and  he  ought  to 
have  some  medicine."  He  flew  out  of  his  berth  like  a  wildcat 
"Damn  him,  I'll  give  him  medicine,  you  go  and  fetch  him  aft.". 
I  went  and  got  him  up  out  of  the  galley,  and  told  him  that  he 
must  go  aft.  By  that  time  the  captain  was  on  deck  with  a  big 
piece  of  rope  in  his  hand.  These  doings  attracted  the  attention 
of  all  the  men.  The  Captain  says,  "Seize  him  up  to  them  back 
stays."  As  I  didn't  move  immediately,  he  said,  "Ain't  you  going 
to  obey  my  orders  ?"     "Xo,  sir,  not  in  this  case.     I  will  obey  your 


80 

orders  in  all  reasonable  requests,  but  I  will  not  seize  that  man  up, 
neither  shall  it  be  done/^ 

He  turned  and  went  into  the  cabin.  Probably  I  didn't  see  him 
again  till  supper.  We  partook  of  our  meal  which  was  hard  bread 
and  dry  salt  beef.  This  affair  was  never  alluded  to  by  him  or  me. 
I  received  my  orders  as  usual.  Things  went  on  without  incident 
and  we  arrived  at  Mayaguez.  We  discharged  the  cargo  and  loaded 
for  Portland.  Nothing  of  note  transpired  on  the  passage,  ex- 
cept one  man  was  kicked  by  the  Captain  till  he  fell  overboard. 
The  vessel  being  in  the  stays  was  lying  about  dead  in  the  water 
not  going  ahead  any.  When  the  man  fell  the  Captain  was  very 
much  frightened  to  see  what  he  had  done  and  cried  out  "Save  thi& 
man.     Save  him  for  my  sake.'^ 

We  arrived  in  Portland  late  in  the  evening.  The  Captain  went 
on  shore,  leaving  instructions  for  me  to  warp  the  vessel  up  the 
harbor,  which  I  commenced  doing  at  daylight  in  the  morning; 
and  when  I  had  got  her  up  aiid  come  to  anchor  I  received  a  note 
from  him  "Unbend  all  sails ;  unweave  the  running  rigging ;  tally 
it  all  and  stow  it  away ;  then  let  the  men  come  ashore  and  you  can 
come  with  them.''  In  the  meantime  a  ship-keeper  had  come  on 
board. 

I  had  made  arrangements  with  the  Captain  to  go  with  him 
again ;  but  this  vessel  was  to  be  laid  up  for  some  time  and  I  took  a 
chance  to  go  on  a  schooner  to  Alexandria  instead  of  being  idle 
so  long.  When  I  returned  the  vessel  had  gone.  Then  I  went  on 
board  of  a  large  Boston  topsail  schooner,  and  the  Captain  and  I 
took  this  vessel  on  shares,  I  to  share  equally  with  him.  We  made 
a  voyage  to  Matanzas  and  back  and  then  a  voyage  to  Mayaguez. 
When  we  arrived  there  we  found  the  brig  Rodney,  Captain  ISTew- 
ton,  that  I  had  made  three  voyages  with.  He  came  on  board  this 
vessel  that  I  was  mate  of  a  number  of  evenings,  and  in  fact  he 
was  more  sociable  with  me  than  he  had  ever  been  while  I  was 
his  mate.  It  seemed  as  though  he  liked  to  come  and  have  a  so- 
ciable talk  with  me.  I  remember  one  evening  he  told  me  that  he 
didn't  get  on  shore  as  early  as  usual  in  the  morning,  as  one  of  his 
sailors  had  died  in  the  night  and  he  had  to  carry  him  on  shore  to 
bury  him.  He -said  the  man  hadn't  been  well  for  a  few  days  and 
the  day  before  he  gave  him  a  dose  of  salts,  and  he  died  the  next 
night.  This  showed  that  he  had  no  feeling  for  a  sick  man  or  a 
sailor.  He  returned  to  Portland,  and  sailed  again  for  Porto  Rico 
or  Mayaguez  and  was  washed  overboard  and  lost  on  the  passage. 
So  ended  his  life.  I  don't  think  he  had  a  relative  in  this  country 
and  I  don't  know  as  there  was  any  one  to  mourn  his  loss. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

STARTING   AS    CAPTAIN. 

We  returned  to  Boston  in  our  schooner,  discharged  the  cargo, 
and  the  Captain  was  going  home  to  see  his  family.  Before  he 
went  he  told  me  that  Mr,  Jackson,  the  owner  of  the  vessel,  was 
coming  down  to  see  me  that  afternoon.  He  did  come  and  said  to 
me: — "I  am  offered  two  freights  for  this  vessel,  and  I  want  to 
know  which  one  you  would  prefer."  I  was  very  much  surprised 
that  he  should  ask  me, — the  mate  this  question.  Then  he  said 
"I  intended  for  you  to  go  Captain."  This  surprised  me  more. 
My  reply  was, — "I  cannot  take  charge  of  this  vessel,  unless  Cap- 
tain Chandler  chooses  to  leave  her."  He  said  "He  is  not  going  in 
her  again."  "Well,  I  can't  take  her  if  he  wants  to  go  in  her.  If 
he  does  not  I  should  like  to  have  her."  He  said  "I  will  write 
down  to  him  and  get  a  letter  and  show  it  to  you ;  but  in  the  mean- 
time I  want  this  vessel  to  be  loading,  and  you  can  tell  me,  in  case 
you  should  go  master,  which  freight  you  prefer."  I  told  him  the 
one  for  Beaufort.  So  I  went  on  loading  the  vessel  with  a  cargo 
of  ice,  and  when  done  I  put  her  into  the  stream  and  went  to  the 
owner's  office  and  told  him  his  vessel  was  loaded  and  in  the  stream. 
He  said,  "Have  you  got  your  mate?"  I  replied,  "I  have  not, 
nor  done  anything  about  her  crew,  or  stores  or  provisions."  He 
handed  i^e  a  letter  saying,  "Here's  a  letter  from  Captain  Chan- 
dler." It  stated  "I  shall  not  come  on  to  go  in  Isaac  Jackson  and 
I  don't  think  vou  can  do  better  than  take  Webster  for  a  master." 

Then  I  got  the  mate,  crew  and  provisions  on  board  as  quick 
as  possible  and  sailed  on  my  first  voyage  as  master.  I  was  pro- 
bably about  twenty-four  years  of  age. 

We  arrived  in  Beaufort  after  a  pleasant  passage,  discharged 
our  ice,  and  sailed  for  Wilmington.  We  arrived  there  and  loaded 
with  boards  for  Charleston.  The  crew  deserted  in  Beaufort,  and 
we  could  not  obtain  men  there;  so  we  sailed  with  no  one  on 
board  but  myself,  mate  and  cook.  As  the  weather  was  pleasant 
we  made  the  passage  without  accident.  We  arrived  in  Charleston, 
and  when  a  large  part  of  the  cargo  was  discharged,  a  certain 
Captain  Talbot  of  Freeport,  a  friend  of  my  father's  and  mine 
came  down  on  board.  He,  thinking  of  me  as  a  mere  boy,  said: 
"Ben,  what  are  you  going  to  after  you  get  your  boards  out?" 
"I  am  going  back  to  Wilmington  and  get  another  load  if  I  can.'' 


32 


"Well,  go  put  on  your  coat  and  go  up  with  me,  and  I'll  introduce 
you  to  a  man  that  has  some  salt  to  sell/' 

So  I  went  up  with  him  to  the  gentleman's  office,  and  my  friend 
said:  "Mr.  Cohen,  this  is  Captain  Webster,  the  master  of  the 
schooner  Isaac  Jackson.  Captain  Webster,  this  is  J.  C.  Cohen, 
a  ship-broker,  the  damnedest  liar  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 
It  takes  a  big  liar  to  make  a  sharp  ship-broker.  Mr.  Cohen, 
haven't  you  got  some  salt  that  you  can  give  him  for  Wilming- 
ton?" "Yes,  I  can  give  him  700  sacks."  As  this  conversation 
began  to  be  interesting  to  me,  I  said  "How  much  a  sack?"  He 
replied,  "Twenty-five  cents."  I  answered,  "I'll  take  it."  "But," 
he  said,  "you  must  be  alongside  a  certain  ship  at  a  certain  wharf 
at  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning."  I  replied  that  I  would  have 
the  vessel  there,  and  then  Captain  Talbot  said  to  me, — "Are  you 
sure  you  can  get  the  boards  out  to-day  ?"  "If  I  don't  get  them  out 
to-day,  I'll  get  them  out  to-night;  I'll  have  the  vessel  there." 
Then  Captain  Talbot  turned  to  Mr.  Cohen, — "Look  here,  that 
isn't  the  salt  you  have  been  offering  to  me  is  it  ?"• 

"0  no,  the  lot  I  have  for  you  is  900." 

So  I  returned  to  my  vessel,  and  by  working  part  of  the  night, 
I  had  her  alongside  the  ship  at  the  time  appointed,  and  they  be- 
gan putting  the  salt  in.  Along  in  the  forenoon,  I  happened  to 
look  up,  and  Captain  Talbot  was  leaning  over  the  ship's  rail 
looking  down  on  to  my  vessel,  smiling  as  though  he  was  very 
much  pleased.  I  said,  "What  pleases  you  so  much  this  morning, 
sir?" 

"I  am  a-thinking  about  my  carrying  you  up  and  introducing 
you  to  that  Cohen ;  and  he  has  given  you  the  very  freight  that  he 
has  been  offering  me." 

"Why  no,  because  he  said  the  lot  for  you  was  900." 

"Yes,  but  he's  such  a  liar  you  can't  tell  anything  about  him. 
Now  I've  got  to  buy  ballast. 

"0  no"  I  replied,  "this  lot  is  enough  for  ballast  for  both  of  us. 
I'll  stop  right  where  I  am,  and  you  take  the  balance." 

"I  knew  you  would  and  I  have  been  to  the  shipper  and  he  re- 
fused to  make  out  two  bills  of  lading." 

After  I  got  the  salt  in,  I  sailed  and  arrived  at  Wilmington 
safely,  discharged  my  salt  and  loaded  with  large  hewn  timber 
for  New  York.  The  first  night  out,  I  got  into  the  September  gale 
that  prevails  on  the  Southern  coast  at  that  time  of  the  year, 
often  called  hurricanes.  We  had  to  carry  a  heavy  press  of  canvas 
to  keep  her  off  the  land.  Having  a  heavy  deck  load  on,  it  opened 
her  water  ways,  and  started  her  leaking  in  her  top  very  badly. 
I  was  aware  that  she  was  filling  fast  and  if  I  didn't  get  clear  of 


33 

the  deck-load  she  would  fill  and  roll  over,  and  that  would  end  my 
life  and  short  career  as  master.  This  timber  was  some  of  it 
fifteen  inches  square,  and  some  of  it  forty  and  fifty  feet  long; 
there  was  no  way  to  get  clear  of  it  without  cutting  away  the  rig- 
ging. I  knew  that  would  not  do  without  cutting  some  of-  the 
mast  first ;  so  I  cut  the  rigging  and  the  foremast  w^ent  taking  the 
head  of  the  mainmast.  Then  the  deck  load  all  above  the  rail 
went.  In  a  very  short  time,  this  vessel  was  surrounded  with 
these  large  sticks  of  timber ;  and  I  on  the  top  of  one  of  the  sticks. 
I  went  off  with  the  deck  load.  Of  course  while  I  was  on  this  stick 
of  timber  my  thoughts  ran  quickly.  I  had  been  taken  off  with 
the  deck-load  from  my  vessel  half  full  of  water,  and  had  exchanged 
mv  vessel  for  a  stick  of  timber  that  could  hold  no  Avater, 
but  I  had  this  advantage  at  least,  I  couldn't  be  water  logged.  I 
had  neither  water  nor  provisions,  compass  nor  canvas  to  navigate 
or  propell  this  new  craft  that  I  had  joined  so  much  against  my 
will.  I  often  now  look  back  on  this  as  one  of  the  most  narrow 
escapes  of  my  life.  This  stick  of  timber  that  I  was  on,  had 
worked  round  so  that  one  end  pointed  nearly  towards  the  vessel. 
A  heavy  sea  took  it  and  landed  it  crosswise  over  the  vessel.  They 
grabbed  hold  of  me  and  saved  me.  The  only  accident  I  suffered 
was  having  one  foot  badly  jammed. 

The  next  day  the  weather  became  moderate  and  the  sea 
smoothed  down.  We  pumped  the  water  out,  got  the  jibboom  in  and 
rigged  it  up  for  a  jury  foremast,  used  the  awning  for  a  sail,  and 
as  the  mainsail  was  saved,  we  used  that  on  the  mainmast.  With 
this  sail  we  arrived  in  Charleston  without  tug-boat  or  assistance. 
There  were  no  telegraphs  in  those  days,  so  the  only  way  for  me 
to  notify^  my  owner  in  Boston  was  by  letter  which  I  did  at  once. 
At  that  time  the  mail  was  carried  much  of  the  way  by  stage 
there  being  few  railroads,  so  it  took  about  a  month  before  I  re- 
ceived instructions  from  my  owner  in  Boston.  These  were  to 
lay  the  vessel  up  in  some  safe  place  and  come  to  Boston.  By 
the  time  this  was  done,  I  was  taken  sick  with  the  fever  that  pre- 
vails in  Southern  climates  in  September  and  October.  I  was 
stopping  at  a  hotel  at  the  time,  and  they  sent  for  the  doctor.  At 
his  first  visit  he  said  that  I  must  have  a  nurse.  A  colored  woman 
was  obtained,  and  I  expect  that  between  the  doctor  and  the  nurse 
I  had  good  attendance. 

After  a  number  of  days,  how  many  I  don't  know,  the  doctor 
had  ended  his  last  visit,  and  I  had  become  convalescent  so  as  to 
walk  out.  I  engaged  my  passage  to  Boston  on  board  of  a  sailing 
vessel.  There  were  no  steamshi'p  lines  on  the  Atlantic  in  those  days. 
I  sent  this  negro  nurse  to  the  doctor  asking  him  for  his  bill  as  I 


34 

was  going  home.  He  told  her  to  say  that  he  would  come  down 
to  see  me.  That  evening  he  came  and  inquired  when  and  how 
I  was  going.  He  told  me  some  things  that  he  wanted  me  to  take 
with  me.  Among  the  rest  was  some  bottles  of  wine.  He  said. 
"I  think  you  can  go  well  enough,  and  you  will  improve  and  gain 
strength  faster  after  you  get  out  on  the  ocean."  I  said,  "I  sent 
the  girl  up  after  your  bill,  doctor."  He  replied,  "I  wanted  to  see 
you.  You  are  a  young  man,  and  you've  had  hard  luck;  thrown 
out  of  business,  and  now  sick.  I  have  done  all  I  could  for  you ; 
I  have  not  any  bill  against  you." 

I  have  always  regretted  that  I  did  not  have  that  man's  address., 
so  that  when  I  got  into  different  circumstances  I  could  have 
written   him. 

I  arrived  in  Boston  and  called  on  my  owner.  He  seemed  glad 
to  see  me.  Having  my  accounts  all  made  out,  I  handed  them  to 
him.  It  showed  that  I  had  made  him  two  remittances,  one  from 
Beaufort,  and  one  from  Charleston,  and  there  was  yet  quite  a 
balance  due  him.  All  the  money  I  had  was  in  $5  pieces  in  a  lit- 
tle bag,  and  I  emptied  it  on  the  table,  counted  out  the  part  due 
him,  handed  it  over,  and  there  were  but  few  $5  pieces  left  for 
me.  He  looked  at  it  and  saw  that  it  balanced  the  account  and 
seemed  to  well  pleased. 

I  said,  "Mr.  Jackson,  the  voyage  is  ended  and  I  want  to  tell 
you  how  my  year's  work  is  ended.  When  Captain  Chandler  took 
this  vessel  a  year  ago  on  shares,  I  agreed  to  go  with  him  and  share 
equally  with  him,  and  I  bought  up  $170  to  pay  one  half  of  the 
outfits.  When  he  left  her,  you  are  aware  that  I  had  her  on  shares. 
When  I  Joined  her,  I  was  well  and  strong,  now  I  am  out  of  busi- 
ness altogether,  going  home  sick.  Of  course  it  will  take  me  some 
time  to  recover  my  strength  and  be  as  I  was  a  year  ago.  With 
this  little  pile  of  money  left.  Understand  me,  sir,  a  year  ago 
well  and  strong,  with  $170  in  the  business,  now  sick,  out  of  busi- 
ness and  my  $170  reduced  to  about  $30.'' 

I  well  remember  his  looks  as  he  regarded  me  across  the  table 
and  when  I  was  through  he  said,  "Is  it  so  ?"  "Yes,  it  is  as  I  have 
stated." 

He  began  pushing  the  $5  pieces  across  the  table  from  him  to 
nie.  I  don't  remember  how  many,  but  I  do  think  that  we  were 
botli  pleased.  Then  he  said,  "Now  you  are  going  home.  I  have 
got  the  ship  Frances  Ann  here.  I  am  going  to  send  her  to 
Charleston.  I  am  going  to  have  the  sails  made  here,  the  rig- 
ging and  everything  put  on  board  to  rig  up  the  schooner,  and  I 
want  you  to  go  out  in  the  ship  and  rig  her  up,  and  try  her  again. 
I  feel  as  though  I  was  acquainted  with  you,  for  when  you  came  up 


35 

to  join  this  vessel  as  mate.  Captain  Soule,  master  of  the  ship 
Frances  Ann,  told  me  of  you,  and  I  had  as  lief  then  that  you 
would  have  had  the  schooner  as  Captain  Chandler."  Captain 
Soule  knew  me  well,  as  I  had  been  mate  of  a  vessel  that  he  owned 
a  third  of,  and  of  which  his  brother  was  master  between  one  and 
two  years. 

When  I  left  this  gentleman's  office,  I  felt  altogether  a  differ- 
ent man  from  what  I  did  when  I  entered  it,  all  owing  to  the  way 
he  received  me,  the  way  he  treated  me,  and  the  way  we  separated. 
I  went  home  to  my  father's  in  Freeport,  had  been  there  about 
twenty  days,  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Jackson  that  he  had  sold 
the  schooner.  So  ends  my  acquaintance  with  this  kind-hearted 
gentleman. 

About  this  time,  Mr.  Samuel  Bacon  of  North  Yarmouth,  came 
for  me  to  take  command  of  the  schooner  Julian  that  he  owned. 
This  vessel  was  built  up  to  Walnut  Hill,  eighty-three  tons,  and 
and  hauled  from  there  to  Yarmouth  Falls  about  four  miles.  She 
was  loaded  with  potatoes  in  barrels.  Arrived  in  New  Orleans. 
I  sold  the  potatoes,  and  the  barrels  to  put  molasses  in.  Then  I 
loaded  with  pork,  lard,  and  corn  in  sacks  for  Newburyport :  dis- 
charged, collected  my  freight,  and  brought  the  vessel  to  Yar- 
mouth. Then  the  owner  wanted  me  to  go  coasting  in  her 
through  the  summer.  I  declined  to  do  this,  as  I  was  not  ac- 
quainted with  the  business.  He  replied,  "I  am  going  to  load  hei- 
with  wood,  bark,  and  fish  barrels  for  Provincetown,  Capt  Cod 
and  I  am  going  myself,  and  you  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  sel- 
ling the  cargo ;  I  shall  attend  to  that."  I  replied  that  under  those 
circumstances  I  would  go. 

We  \\^nt  to  Provincetown,  sold  a  part  of  the  cargo,  went  to 
Boston  and  sold  more,  and  to  Gloucester,  Cape  Ann,  and  sold  the 
balance,  and  returned  to  Yarmouth.  I  felt  as  though  I  was  quite 
a  coasting  Captain.  So  I  went  on  making  trips  to  different 
parts,  not  waiting  for  fair  winds  nor  for  fog  to  clear.  I  have 
come  into  Portland  without  seeing  a  thing  until  1  was  in  the  har- 
bor. This  was  considered  quite  an  event  in  those  days.  I  re- 
turned from  one  of  my  trips,  and  the  owner,  Mr.  Bacon,  came  on 
board  as  soon  as  I  got  to  the  wharf.  He  said,  "Mr.  Baker  is  go- 
ing to  load  the  vessel  with  bricks  and  hay  for  Boston.'*  I  replied 
"Then  he  must  consign  it  to  some  one  for  sale,  for  I  know  no- 
body there,  and  am  not  a  fit  person  to  sell  it." 

He  went  away,  and  soon  returned,  saying,  "Mr.  Baker  will  do 
as  you  wish.''  So  we  loaded  with  bricks  in  the  hold  and  a  high 
deckload  of  hay,  and  I  arrived  in  Boston ;  and  ran  into  the  dock 
as  there  was  not  water  enough  to  get  to  the  wharf.     There  was 


36 

a  mud  machine  there  digging  out  the  docks,  that  went  by  horse 
power.  My  vessel  grounded  near  the  mud-digger,  it  being  low 
water.  The  man  in  charge  of  the  work  of  the  mud-digger  asked 
me  if  the  hay  was  for  sale  and  how  many  bales  I  had.  He  came 
and  looked  it  over,  asked  the  price,  and  agreed  to  take  it  at  the 
price  that  I  told  him.  So  we  rolled  it  off  on  board  the  digger 
while  the  tide  was  flowing  so  we  could  get  to  the  wharf.  This 
was  the  time  at  which  the  brick  stores  on  Lewis'  wharf  were  being 
built.  I  enquired  of  some  of  the  laborers  for  the  foreman,  and 
asked  if  they  wanted  to  buy  bricks.  "Yes,''  was  the  answer,  "but 
I  am  not  the  purchaser."  He  gave  me  the  purchaser's  name, 
street,  and  number.  I  was  in  his  office  in  a  short  time,  and 
found  him  in.  He  came  down  with  me  and  looked  at  the  bricks, 
and  we  made  a  trade  then  at  a  much  higher  price  than  Mr.  Baker 
expected  I'd  get,  and  before  12  o'clock  at  noon  we  were  discharg- 
ing the  bricks.  As  soon  as  they  were  out  I  received  my  money 
for  bricks  and  hay,  and  said  to  the  man  that  bought  the  bricks, — 
"Will  you  take  another  cargo  at  the  same  price,  if  I  come  right 
back  ?"  He  agreed  to  do  it.  I  made  all  speed  for  Yarmouth.  I 
knew  that  Mr.  Baker  had  bought  a  small  schooner.  When  I  was 
returning,  I  passed  Cape  Elizabeth  with  a  strong  west  wind,  I 
fell  in  with  that  schooner  going  out.  As  soon  as  I  got  to  the 
wharf  in  Yarmouth  I  went  to  see  Mr.  Baker,  handed  him  my 
accounts  of  the  sale  of  the  hay  and  the  bricks,  and  the  money. 
He  was  well  pleased.  I  said,  "Do  you  want  to  sell  another  load 
of  bricks  at  the  same  rate  ?"  "Yes."  "Well,  I  have  sold  them 
if  you  load  her  up  quick."  He  was  so  well  pleased  with  this  sale 
that  he  said,  "How  much  do  they  generally  have  for  selling  car- 
goes as  you  have  done  this?"  I  replied,  "two  and  one  half  per 
cent  on  the  gross  sales." 

He  counted  me  out  the  money  at  once.  This  paid  me  well  for 
the  trip  as  I  was  only  having  $25  per  month.  Then  he  said, 
"Now  I  shall  pay  you  two  and  one  half  per  cent  on  this  next 
cargo ;  and  I  have  loaded  my  little  schooner  with  so  many  thous- 
and of  bricks,  and  she  went  away  so  many  days  ago."  I  replied, 
"Yes,  I  saw  her  off  Cape  Elizabeth  to-day.  He  said,  "If  you  get 
to  Boston  before  she  does  and  sell  her  cargo,  I  will  give  you  two 
and  one  half  per  cent  on  her  cargo  also." 

The  day  I  saw  the  schooner  off'  Cape  Elizabeth  when  she-  got 
out  into  the  strong  southwest  winds  and  heavy  sea,  it  was  too 
rough  for  her  and  she  returned  to  Portland  for  harbor.  I 
loaded  up  in  all  haste,  and  when  I  was  a  little  past  Cape  Eliza- 
beth with  a  strong  head  wind,  I  fell  in  with  this  same  little 
schooner  going  back  to  Portland  the  second  time  for  harbor. 


37 

The  thought  came  to  me  then,  "I'll  have  a  commission  on  her 
cargo/' 

There  was  no  rest  for  the  Julian  in  the  head  winds  or  fair  till 
she  arrived  at  Lewis'  wharf  in  Boston.  I  lost  no  time  until  I 
had  seen  the  purchaser  of  the  bricks.  He  seemed  much  pleased 
that  I  had  returned  a  number  of  days  before  he  expected  me.  I 
said  to  him,  "The  owner  of  these  bricks  has  another  cargo  on 
board  a  small  schooner.  Will  you  take  them  at  the  same  price  ?" 
He  agreed  to  do  it. 

About  the  time  I  was  discharged  and  ready  to  leave,  this  little 
schooner  arrived.  I  took  the  Captain  up  and  introduced  him  to 
the  purchaser  of  his  cargo.  I  don't  suppose  he  ever  knew  that  I 
had  a  commission  of  two  and  one  half  per  cent  on  the  gross  sales 
of  his  cargo. 

I  continued  through  the  season  at  different  places,  sometimes 
with  a  full  crew.  At  one  time  the  vessel  was  all  loaded,  the 
water  high  and  a  fair  wind.  I  had  only  a  boy  for  a  cook,  and 
a  young  man  that  was  going  passenger  with  me.  I  couldn't  af- 
ford to  lose  the  fair  wind,  so  I  got  some  men  to  help  hoist  the 
sails,  and  one  man  to  go  out  the  river  with  me,  putting  him  ashore 
at  the  Foreside,  then  I  left  for  Boston  with  these  two  boys.  I  ar- 
rived safely  and  returned  home  in  the  same  way.  There  were 
no  steamboats  or  railroads  then,  so  I  often  had  quite  a  number 
of  passengers.  At  one  time  I  had  three  women  passengers,  two 
of  them  school-teachers.  The  little  after  cabin  we  had,  had  two 
berths  in  it,  so  one  of  these  women  had  to  lie  on  a  seat  or  tran- 
som. We  were  up  past  Wood  Island,  with  a  strong  head  wind 
and  a  bad  sea,  and  it  was  necessary  to  back  ship.  I  thinking 
more  of  l:he  vessel  than  of  the  women  passengers,  when  the  vessel 
came  roiind  on  the  other  tack  and  listed  round,  this  woman  on 
the  transom  rolled  on  to  the  floor,  and  I  should  judge  they  were 
terribly  frightened  by  the  screeching.  I  went  down  as  quickly 
as  possible,  found  them  very  much  frightened,  for  they  did  not 
know  what  to  make  of  it.  In  this  tacking  ship,  with  a 
strong  wind,  and  the  vessel  listing  down,  when  she  comes  round 
she  lists  down  the  other  way.  These  women  were  so  frightened 
and  very  sea-sick,  with  a  strong  head  wind  and  a  bad  sea,  I  kept 
away  for  Portland,  and  landed  the  women  there ;  went  with  them 
to  the  stage  tavern,  and  they  took  the  mail  stage  for  Boston. 
Nothing  more  worthy  of  note  for  this  trip. 

On  another  trip  I  discharged  in  Gloucester,  Cape  Ann.  Two 
men  left  there,  leaving  me  alone  with  the  boy  cook,  and  a  good 
fair  wind  to  leave.  I  got  some  men  to  help  hoist  the  sails,  and 
I  left  with  no  one  but  myself  and  boy.     That  night  there  was  a 


38 

strong  southwest  wind,  right  aft,  and  I  winged  her  out,  the  main- 
sail one  side,  and  the  foresail  on  the  other.  Along  late  in  the 
night,  I  called  the  boy  to  relieve  me  from  the  helm  a  few  minutes, 
thinking  that  he  could  do  it,  and  I  cautioned  him  to  be  very  care- 
ful. Notwithstanding  all  his  knowledge  of  steering  and  my  ad- 
vice he  jibed  over  the  mainsail.  This  came  over  all  at  once  with 
such  force,  that  it  was  almost  enough  to  take  the  vessel's  stern 
off.  It  did  unship  the  main  boom,  and  the  end  that  has  the  Jaws 
on  it  came  down  on  the  deck,  slid  forward  of  the  mast  some  eight 
or  ten  feet.  This  was  a  peculiar  situation  for  one  man  and  a 
boy  to  be  in.  Now  we  had  both  sails  on  one  side,  put  the  helm 
hard  down,  and  she  came  up  with  the  wind,  sails  shaking.  We 
hauled  the  foresheet  aft,  lowered  the  mainsail  down  and  com- 
menced getting  the  main  boom  back  in  its  place — slow  work  for  us 
two — but  we  got  a  deck-tackle  ,  hauled  it  aft,  far  enough  to  ship 
again,  hooked  the  halyards  on  to  it  we  had  to  hoist  the  mainsail 
with,  hoisted  it  up  and  it  was  shipped  all  right.  Then  as  the 
vessel  was  lying  too  near  head  to  the  wind  we  hoisted  the  main- 
sail again,  which  was  hard  and  slow  work  for  us.  We  put  the 
helm  up,  eased  off  the  sheets,  and  headed  her  for  Yarmouth.  We 
arrived  there  after  a  good  passage  of  sixteen  hours. 

I  continued  in  this  vessel  till  the  latter  part  of  October ;  she  be- 
ing small  and  -old,  I  did  not  wish  to  spend  another  winter  in  her, 
so  I  joined  the  new  brig  Persia,  with  Captain  Joseph  Chandler, 
I  going  as  mate  at  $30  per  month.  I  felt  first  rate;  for  I  was 
having  $5  more  than  the  common  rate  of  wages.  I  had  been 
with  this  man  one  year  in  a  schooner  as  his  mate  about  a  year  be- 
fore. He  was  a  very  nice  honest  man,  and  I  think,  a  Christian 
man.  But  he  was  a  man  who  liked  to  have  a  great  deal  of  work 
done.  He  chartered  his  vessel  to  load  with  cotton  in  Mobile.  He 
said  to  me,  "Mr.  Webster,  can  you  stow  this  vessel  with  cotton  ?'' 
I  replied  to  him  "Yes,"  as  I  had  had  experience  with  loading 
cotton  before  I  was  21  years  old.  So  we  went  on  stowing  the 
cotton  till  we  had  some  three  or  four  hoists  all  over  her,  then  there 
were  two  hoists  left  on  the  edge  which  we  used  to  roll  in,  whicli 
was  called  rolling  in  two  bales  at  once  with  the  screws.  It  was 
slow  work,  we  didn't  get  along  as  fast  as  the  Captain  wanted  to,  so 
he  hired  another  gang  from  the  shore,  and  they  commenced  in  the 
other  end  of  the  vessel.  That  gang  cost  him  $21  per  day.  The 
gang  I  had  cost  him  $3  per  day,  and  we  put  away  more  bales  of 
cotton  than  they  did.  The  Captain  couldn't  stand  this,  and  he 
discharged  the  gang  the  second  day.  He  used  to  be  down  in 
the  hold  a  great  deal,  which  used  to  make  me  feel  very  unpleas- 
ant.    He  was  thinking  that  we  not  putting  away  as  many  bales 


39 

in  a  day  as  he  wanted,  but  I  knew  that  we  were.  He  was  not  a 
judge  for  he  had  never  been  in  that  trade,  and  had  probably 
never  seen  a  bale  of  cotton  stowed  before. 

One  day  he  was  down  there  walking  round,  and  I  had  two 
bales  that  bothered  me  a  great  deal,  had  two  pairs  of  screws  to 
them ;  the  screws  slipped  and  they  came  down.  He  walked  along 
to  me,  and  said,  "Mr.  Webster,  it  is  no  use  for  you  to  spend  the 
time  that  way."  I  was  angry  at  the  screws  slipping  and  the 
two  bales  coming  down,  and  the  Captain  coming  along  and  speak- 
ing the  way  he  did,  made  me  more  so.  My  reply  was ;  "I  picked 
out  those  two  bales  to  go  there,  and  I  am  going  to  put  them  there.'' 
He  left  without  another  word.  The  two  bales  were  put  in  place, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  work  went  along  much  better 
and  more  satisfactorily  to  me  when  the  Captain  was  not  there. 
I  think  he  came  down  very  little,  if  any,  after  that.  After 
we  had  her  all  filled,  and  the  hatches  on,  we  cleared  away 
a  big  pile  of  lumber  that  was  on  deck  amidships,  in  preparing  to 
take  on  a  deckload  of  cotton.  When  this  lumber  and  dunnage 
was  all  moved,  we  could  see  the  deck  was  rounded  up  a  good 
deal.  The  Captain  said  to  me  "Mr.  Webster,  you  have  spoiled 
my  vessel."  I  replied,  "You  asked  me  if  I  could  stow  this  vessel 
with  cotton,  and  if  you  saw  that  I  was  screwing  too  hard,  why 
didn't  you  tell  me?"  I  suppose  that  he  felt  bad,  and  I  mad. 
That  ended  it,  there  was  nothing  more  said  about  it.  We  arrived 
in  Boston,  discharged  the  cotton,  and  as  I  felt  that  I  hadn't  given 
him  satisfaction,  I  said,  "Xow  the  vessel  is  discharged,  and  I 
think  you  better  discharge  me."  He  says,  "What  are  you  go- 
ing to  do?''  "I  don't  know.  I  shall  be  in  hopes  to  get  some- 
where where  I  can  give  satisfaction." 

He  turned  and  went  ashore.  After  he  was  gone,  his  wife, 
a  very  nice  lady  who  had  been  on  the  voyage  with  us,  sent  for  me. 
She  said,  "I  am  going  home.  I  don't  want  you  to  leave  this  ves- 
sel. I  shall  feel  differently  to  know  that  you  are  here,  than  I 
should  if  he  had  a  stranger."  "But  I  don't  think  that  your  hus- 
band wants  me."    "Yes,  he  does."    "Well  then  he'll  ask  me." 

When  he  returned  we  had  our  dinner,  he  said,  "I  would  like  to 
have  you  remain  in  the  vessel."  There  was  considerable  more 
conversation  about  it,  but  I  concluded  to  stay.  We  loaded  with 
ice  for  Jamaica,  then  to  Trinidad,  Cuba,  then  box  sugar  for  Bre- 
men, discharged  our  sugar,  and  came  to  Sydney,  Cape  Breton. 
Then  we  took  a  cargo  of  coal  for  Boston.  The  vessel  was  going 
up  North  River  to  discharge,  and  the  Captain  was  going  home. 
When  he  got  all  ready  to  go,  after  giving  me  all  the  instructions 
he  considered  necessary  in  his  absence,  he  said  to  me : — "If  vou 


40 

can  have  a  new  vessel  built  to  come  off  next  f all^  a  year  from  now, 
how  much  of  her  will  you  take,  and  how  large  do  you  want  her 
to  be?''  I  replied:  "I'll  put  $1000  into  the  vessel,  and  let  it 
go  as  far  as  it  will,  for  her  to  be  from  150  to  200  tons." 

When  he  returned  the  cargo  was  discharged  and  the  vessel  all 
cleaned  up.  On  her  passage  from  Sydney  to  Xew  York  the  ves- 
sel was  deep  loaded  with  coal,  in  the  month  of  November,  there 
was  no  chance  to  do  much  of  any  Avork  on  the  vessel,  and  I  gave 
the  men  watch  and  watch.  But  I  soon  saw  that  this  didn't  please 
the  Captain,  although  he  didn't  say  anything  to  me  against  it. 
But  I  knew  that  he  was  so  much  displeased  that  I  said  to  Mr. 
Corbit,  the  second  mate,  "If  I  go  another  voyage  in  this  vessel, 
there'll  be  no  more  watch  and  watch  unless  the  Captain  tells  me." 
We  went  round  from  N'ew  York  to  Philadelphia  to  load  for  Eio. 

It  got  to  be  along  in  December  before  we  left,  so  cold  that  we 
nailed  boards  on  the  bow  of  the  vessel  to  keep  the  ice  from  cut- 
ting the  plank.  The  Captain's  wife  had  come  on  to  make  the 
voyage  with  us.  The  second  day  out,  when  it  was  blowing  heavy, 
a  side  wind,  under  double  reefed  topsails,  and  the  spray  falling 
over  the  vessel,  most  all  parts  of  her,  at  1  o'clock  P.  M.,  I  said 
to  Mr.  Corbit,  "Turn  the  men  to."  "What  am  I  to  set  them 
about?"     "Picking  oakum." 

As  the  wind  was  blowing,  the  vessel  rolling,  and  the  spray 
flying  there  was  no  chance  to  do  anything  else.  One  man  took 
his  bunch  of  rope-yarn  and  went  on  to  the  poop-deck  right  in 
front  of  the  cabin.  The  captain  looking  out  of  the  cabin  win- 
dows and  seeing  him,  called  for  me : — "Mr.  Webster,  is  there 
nowheres  else  for  this  man,  except  right  here  before  the  cabin 
windows?"  "Yes, -sir,  but  they'll  be  drenched  in  salt  water." 
I  said  to  the  man,  "Pick  up  your  rope-yarns  and  go  off  for- 
ward." It  was  done  without  a  word  of  complaint  from  him. 
The  Captain  returned  to  the  cabin. 

Captain  Chandler  being  a  pious  man,  he  had  the  men  come 
into  the  cabin  every  night  to  have  prayers.  This  being  the  latter 
part  of  December,  dark  early,  one  man  was  relieved  from  the 
wheel  to  go  and  get  his  supper;  the  forecastle  in  those  days  was 
down  in  the  fore-peak  of  the  vessel  under  the  deck.  As  we  went 
into  the  cabin  that  night  the  Captain  had  his  Bible,  and  we  all 
got  seated:  the  Captain  looked  around  and  he  said,  "How  is 
this,  Mr.  Webster,  that  we  can't  have  every  man  except  the  man 
at  the  wheel?" 

"The  man  at  the  wheel  has  just  been  relieved,  and  has  gone 
for  his  supper.  But  you  can  have  him."  He  made  no  reply. 
I  left  and  went  to  the  forecastle  door  and  said,  "Bill,  come  up 


41 

here.'*  The  man  came  very  quickly  little  thinking  what  I  wanted. 

"Come  aft  here,"  said  I.  He  followed  me  to  the  after  cabin 
doors;  as  this  vessel  had  a  trunkcabin  we  had  to  go  down  some 
four  steps  to  get  into  the  passage  way  or  entry.  As  I  stepped  on 
the  upper  step  I  said  to  the  man,  "Come  down  here." 

By  this  time  I  suppose  he  began  to  mistrust  what  was  wanted. 
I  stepped  back  and  took  him  by  the  collar.  I  think  no  word  was 
said; — he  came  down  the  steps  and  into  the  cabin.  I  let  go  of 
him,  and  said,"sit  down  in  that  chair.''  He  did  so.  I  turned 
to  the  Captain,  "Captain  Chandler,  there's  your  man."  He  shut 
the  Bible  that  he  had  in  his  hand,  went  to  his  room  and  closed  the 
door.  Probably  the  voyage  lasted  five  months  longer,  but  the 
men  never  went  to  the  cabin  for  prayers.  And  if  the  Captain 
had  his  prayers,  as  I  have  no  doubt  he  had,  they  were  only  to 
God  and  himself. 

There  was  nothing  remarkable  the  remainder  of  this  voyage. 
We  returned  to  Philadelphia  with  a  cargo  of  coffee.  While  dis- 
charging I  was  on  the  wharf  taking  account  of  the  bags  of  coffee, 
and  getting  receipts  signed  for  each  car-load,  the  Captain  came 
down  from  up  town,  another  gentleman  with  him,  and  handed 
me  a  letter.  They  then  went  on  board  the  vessel.  As  soon  as  I 
had  a  minute  to  spare,  I  opened  the  letter,  and  saw  it  was  from 
my  mother,  and  brought  me  news  of  the  death  of  three  of  my 
sisters.  One  was  a  married  woman  less  than  thirty;  another  a 
girl  about  seventeen;  the  other  I  think  about  eleven,  all  loving 
sisters.  I  had  no  time  then  to  read  the  letter  through,  but  read 
enough  to  get  the  sad  news  that  it  contained.  As  soon  as  I  could 
I  went  into  the  cabin,  handed  the  letter  to  the  Captain's  wife, 
then  retu'rned  to  my  business  of  delivering  coffee.  Soon  this 
gentleman  who  was  in  the  cabin  with  the  Captain  came  on  shore, 
and  came  to  me  and  said,  "You  have  hard  news." 

When  we  stopped  work  to  get  dinner,  I  took  my  seat  at  the  ta- 
ble as  usual;  the  Captain  asked  a  blessing,  helped  his  wife  and 
then  me.  I  got  up  and  left  without  tasting  any  dinner.  When 
it  was  time  to  go  to  work,  I  was  there  to  deliver  the  coffee,  and 
the  Captain  never  offered  to  assist  me  or  to  put  a  man  there  to 
assist  me,  and  I  believe  that  he  never  mentioned  the  death  of  my 
sisters  to  me.  A  day  or  two  after  this  a  sheriff  came  down  and 
served  a  writ  on  me  for  correcting  one  of  the  sailors.  I  told  him 
he  would  have  to  wait  until  the  Captain  came ;  for  I  couldn't  leave 
then.  The  Captain  soon  came,  procured  some  one  to  sign  my 
bond,  and  the  sheriff  left.  I  told  the  Captain  that  I  wanted  to  see 
a  good  lawyer,  so  he  took  me  up  to  the  store  where  he  traded,  and 
they  recommended  a  lawyer  that  tended  to  their  business,  stating 


42 

that  he  was  probably  as  good  as  amy  one  in  Philadelphia.  "But," 
they  said,  "it  will  cost  you  $10  to  consult  with  him,  but  you  can 
rely  on  what  he  says."  So  the  Captain  went  up  with  me,  and  I 
told  him  my  story  as  it  was.  After  he  heard  me  all  through  he  said, 
"Now  you  better  compromise  this  case  if  you  can  for  $50,  $75,  or 
$100.  I  can't  do  anything  for  3^ou.  You  can  go  to  other  lawyers 
and  they'll  tell  you  that  it  is  a  plain  case  and  they  can  gain  it,  and 
they'll  want  a  retaining  fee  of  $20  or  $30.  But  I  tell  you  they'll 
lose  it.  I  can  take  your  case,  I  shall  want  a  retaining  fee  of  $30, 
and  I  will  carry  it  as  far  as  you  want  to.  Soon  I  shall  want  some 
more  money,  but  at  the  end  I  shall  lose  it." 

I  replied  that  there  was  no  use  for  me  to  pay  away  money  that 
way.  He  said,  "Xo,  go  and  make  the  best  trade  you  can  by  com- 
promising it."  "Well,  sir,  what  is  your  bill?"  He  looked  at 
me  and  said,  "Mr.  Mate,  I  see  by  your  hands  that  you  have  to 
work  for  a  living ;  I  can't  do  anything  for  you  and  I  won't  charge 
you  anything."  Then  to  Captain  Chandler,  "Do  you  think  that 
your  mate  was  doing  his  duty  when  he  corrected  this  man  ?  He 
answered  "He  has  sailed  with  me  nearly  two  years  and  I  have 
never  known  him  to  abuse  a  man."  "Then,  sir,  it  is  for  you  to 
carry  on  this  case,  and  not  let  him  lose  all  his  wages." 

I  don't  think  that  the  Captain  replied  to  that.  I  think  I  com- 
promised the  case  for  about  $75,  taking  more  than  two  months 
of  niy  services.  The  Captain  never  helped  me  a  dollar  in  it,  al- 
though the  lawyer  told  him  that  he  was  the  man  that  should 
support  me  in  my  duty. 

Our  next  voyage  wa^  for  San  Domingo.  I  remember  one  cir- 
cumstance after  we  got  out  into  warm  weather.  We  were  laying 
becalmed.  A  large  shark  was  about.  We  soon  got  the  harpoon 
into  him  and  hauled  him  up,  and  I  think  got  a  bowline  round  his 
tail.  We  were  almost  ready  to  haul  him  over  the  side,  while  the 
Captain  was  standing  near  the  side.  He  was  requested  to  stand 
aside,  but  he  replied,  "Haul  him  in,  haul  him  in  quick !''  As 
the  shark  came  over  the  side  he  grabbed  the  Captain  just  by  the 
hips,  but  he  jerked  away  from  him,  and  ran  aft  hollering  "0  I'm 
spoiled,  I'm  spoiled !"  I  immediately  followed  him  into  the 
cabin,  removed  his  clothes,  and  found  one  slight  wound,  and  one 
more  serious.  I  took  his  clothes  off,  and  put  him  into  bed.  The 
slight  wound  I  drew  up  nicely  with  sticking-plaster,  but  the  other 
he  insisted  must  be  sewed  up.  I  tried  ''to  persuade  him,  all  to  no 
purpose.  It  must  be  sewed  up.  I  got  the  surgeon's  needle  from 
the  medicine-chest,  probably  having  never  been  used  before,  took 
a  number  of  stitches  in  the  wound  and  drew  it  together  nicely. 
The  Captain  was  round  on  deck  in  a  few  days,  but  I  have  no 


43 

doubt  that  he  had  two  bad  scares  that  he  carried  to  the  grave. 
After  the  wounds  were  dressed  he  said,  "I  must  have  the  jaws  of 
that  shark  to  carry  home  to  show  my  friends."  They  were  cut 
out,  scraped  and  dried,  and  I  suppose  that  he  carried  them  home. 
We  continued  and  made  this  voyage  with  much  hard  work, 
and  very  little  that  was  pleasant.  Arrived  at  Boston,  discharged 
vessel,  and  I  left  this  vessel,  and  I  left  the  Captain  after  almost 
two  years  faithful  service  to  him.  I  went  home  to  take  charge 
of  my  new  vessel  that  was  nearly  ready  to  launch.  My  only 
l)rother  was  at  home,  a  lad  of  about  twenty-two  and  was  going 
mate  with  me  in  the  new  vessel.  He  was  taken  sick  with  the  ty- 
phoid fever  which  proved  fatal  with  him.  His  remains  lie  in  the 
Webster  Cemetery  in  the  lot  with  his  father  and  mother  and  sis- 
ter. His  death  was  a  great  loss  to  my  parents,  my  sisters  and 
myself.  His  memory  is  fresh  in  my  mind  although  it  is  over 
fifty-seven  years  since  his  death.  I  have  many  things  to  remind 
me  of  him.  Perhaps  the  most  constant  reminder  is  a,  little  lad 
of  eleven  years  old  that  calls  me  grandfather.  He  bears  his  name 
in  full, — William  Webster  Hight. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MY    FIRST    OWNING    IN    A    VESSEL. 

My  new  vessel  was  finished  and  I  started  for  sea  early  in  Octob- 
er, 1844,  I  owning  three-eights  of  her  and  a  small  part  of  that 
paid  for.  I  left  Portland  in  her  for  Lnbec,  being  over  $1900 
in  debt,  which  seemed  a  very  big  debt  for  me  in  those  days.  On 
my  arrival  in  Lubec  I  chartered  her  for  Baltimore  before  it  came 
to  anchor,  then  took  a  freight  for  Xew  York.  Then  I  chartered 
for  Xew  Haven  to  take  a  cargo  of  cooperage,  and  deck  load  of 
horses  for  St.  Kitts,  one  of  the  Windward  Islands  of  the  Carrib- 
bean  sea.  So  I  continued  in  this  trade,  many  times  going  to 
the  most  sickly  ports  in  the  summer,  like  Port-au-Prince,  St. 
Jago,  and  Havana.  I  never  lost  a  man  by  sickness  in  any  of 
these  West  India  Islands,  nor  had  a  man  oif  duty  but  a  very 
short  time.  I  remember  once  in  Port-au-Prince,  I  didn't  have 
a  man  sick  at  all ;  an  English  vessel  that  lay  near  me  lost  nearly 
all  of  her  crew  by  fever.  Some  might  ask,  how  this  could  be.  I 
took  special  pains  to  keep  the  men  out  of  the  sun  in  the  middle 
of  the  day  and  out  of  the  rain,  so  they  should  not  get  wet,  as  it 
would  rain  almost  every  afternoon.  I  well  remember  this  voy- 
age. I  returned  to  Boston  and  didn't  have  a  man  sick  off  duty 
one  hour. 

Inside  of  two  years  from  the  time  I  left  Portland  I  had  paid 
up  the  debt  of  over  $1900,  bought  me  a  chronometer  for  $253, 
sent  the  girl  who  became  my  wife  afterwards  $300,  writing  her 
that  I  was  out  of  debt  and  I  had  this  $300  left.  I  had  no  use 
for  it  and  she  could  use  a  part  of  it  if  she  liked.  She  on  receiv- 
ing it,  put  it  out  to  interest  at  six  per  cent.  One  of  my  voyages 
in  this  vessel  was  down  to  Tabasco  in  the  Bay  of  Mexico,  in  the 
summer  time.  I  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  Tabasco  be- 
ing some  forty  miles  up,  and  was  told  that  it  was  very  sickly, 
that  the  soldiers  were  dying  so  that  they  were  digging  trenches 
to  put  them  in  without  coffins  or  anything  of  the  kind.  There 
were  only  two  men  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  where  I  stopped, 
one  was  the  U.  S.  Consul,  he  said,  "You  won't  think  of  going 
up  to  Tabasco,  knowing  how  sickly  it  is  ?"  I  replied,  "My  cargo 
is  for  Tabasco,  and  I  signed  bills  of  lading  to  deliver  it  there, 
dangers  of  the  seas  excepted." 


45 

That  afternoon  I  started  with  a  strong  fair  wind,  sailing  up 
till  dark,  when  the  wind  died  away,  and  I  tied  up  to  a  tree,  to 
rest  till  morning.  But  there  was  not  much  rest  for  mosquitoes, 
for  they  were  in  swarms  like  bees  and  almost  as  large  as  a  small 
bee.  I,  hearing  of  these  pests  before  I  left  New  York,  bought 
cotton  cloth,  and  made  mosquito  bars  for  all  hands,  which  served 
to  keep  them  out  very  well,  and  much  of  the  air.  But  these  ter- 
rible creatures,  their  bills  were  so  long  and  sharp — that  if  we 
got  a  foot  or  hand  touching  the  inside  of  the  mosquito  bar,  we 
were  sure  to  feel  their  bites  although  there  was  the  thickness  of 
the  cotton  cloth  between  them  and  us.  In  this  river  the  current 
was  running  down  all  the  time  and  the  river  was  narrow,  and 
the  trees  were  very  high  so  that  we  could  feel  but  little  wind 
unless  it  was  from  aloft  that  came  over  the  tops  of  the  trees. 
Sometimes  we  could  set  some  lofty  sails  that  would  help  us  a 
little,  but  the  way  we  had  to  get  up  this  river  was  mostly  by 
warping,  that  is  to  load  a  boat  well  up  with  small  ropes,  put  way 
up  the  river,  make  the  rope  end  fast  to  a  tree,  come  down  with 
the  current  to  the  vessel.  Taking  the  other  end  aboard  the  ves- 
sel, sometimes  we  could  pull  her  along  by  hand,  at  other  times 
we  would  have  to  take  the  rope  to  a  wind  which  is  similar  to  a 
small  windlass  and  turned  by  cranks  like  grindstone  cranks.  In 
this  way  we  worked  quite  a  number  of  days  before  we  reached 
Tabasco. 

When  we  tied  up  for  one  night,  it  was  near  an  English  brig 
that  had  left  the  mouth  of  the  river  for  Tabasco  eight  days  before 
I  arrived.  I  went  on  board  of  this  vessel  and  found  the  Captain 
and  men  terribly  bitten  by  mosquitoes.  I  could  do  nothing  for 
him,  only  urge  him  to  try  and  warp  his  vessel  up.  I  discharged 
my  cargo  at  Tabasco,  and  going  down  the  river,  fell  in  with  this 
brig  near  where  she  was  when  I  boarded  her  on  my  way  up.  This 
was  in  the  evening,  as  we  had  to  tie  up  at  night.  One  couldn't 
think  of  navigating  this  river  with  its  strong  current  in  the  dark. 
I  again  boarded  this  vessel,  and  found  the  Captain  with  legs  and 
arms  terribly  swollen  by  mosquito  bites.  Some  of  his  men  were 
as  badlv  off  as  he.  Thev  were  not  in  situation  to  do  much  of 
anything.  I  returned  to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  loaded 
there  with  log-wood  for  New  York.  I  had  been  down  but  a  short 
time,  when  my  men  began  to  be  taken  sick  with  the  sickness  that 
they  contracted  in  Tabasco  or  on  the  river.  They  were  all  down 
sick  but  the  second  mate  and  cook.  The  chief  mate  died,  and 
there  were  only  the  second  mate  and  cook  to  follow  him  to  his 
grave.  Probably  I  was  as  sick  as  the  others.  What  a  sad  situ- 
ation this  was, — five  sick,  and  two  well.    Surely  we  couldn^t  get 


46 

much  attendance;  but  we  recovered  so  as  to  load  our  vessel  and 
leave  for  New  York,  without  a  mate  and  the  second  mate  not  a 
navigator.  We  stopped  on  the  bar  on  the  way  out,  as  there  was 
not  water  enough  to  float  the  vessel  over  without  stopping. 

It  was  necessary  to  carry  out  a  small  anchor  with  .a  rope  at- 
tached to  it  to  assist  in  getting  the  vessel  over  the  bar.  My  men 
were  in  such  a  weak  state  that  it  didn't  appear  that  there  were 
three  of  them  well  enough  to  carry  that  anchor  out,  and  I  went  in 
the  boat  myself.  Still  I  do  think  that  I  was  no  more  fit  for  it 
than  the  others,  but  the  anxiety  of  mind  to  get  my  vessel  out 
probably  prevented  my  thinking  so  much  of  my  bodily  weakness 
as  they  did.     That  night  we  came  over  the  bar  all  right. 

We  were  in  a  poor  situation  to  come  on  to  the  coast  in  the  win- 
ter; short  handed,  and  with  those  that  we  had  mostly  better  sub- 
jects for  the  hospital  than  for  doing  duty  on  ship-board.  One 
poor  fellow  whose  feet  and  legs  had  been  terribly  swollen,  we  used 
to  put  at  the  wheel  to  steer,  when  we  were  taking  in  the  sail.  I 
not  only  had  to  do  the  Captain's  work  but  the  mate's  also,  and  . 
assist  in  all  common  work  like  a  sailor.  I  had  to  go  aloft  when 
reefing  and  get  immersed  in  salt  water  like  the  rest.  All  this 
time,  every  other  day,  I  had  spells  of  shaking  with  the  ague  while 
terrible  fever  affected  my  head  at  times  almost  to  insanity. 
This  sickness  of  fever  and  ague,  many  do  not  understand.  The 
chills  come  on  about  at  a  certain  hour,  unless  one  is  getting  bet- 
ter ;  then  they  come  on  later.  If  one  is  growing  sicker,  the  chills 
and  fever  come  on  earlier. 

The  morning  that  we  came  out  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  north  of 
Cape  Hatteras,  the  wind  had  been  blowing  heavily  through  the 
night  and  the  vessel  had  much  more  canvas  on  her  than  I  wished 
she  had.  At  daylight,  I  put  the  poor  fellow  with  the  swelled  feet 
at  the  wheel,  and  we  began  getting  canvas  off  the  vessel.  In  our 
feeble  state  it  took  a  good  while.  I  went  aloft  with  the  others  to 
reef  the  topsail,  and  there  was  much  other  work.  We  were  all 
.completely  soaked  through  with  salt  water,  by  the  sprays  and 
seas  coming  so  much  aboard  the  vessel.  About  the  time  that 
I  could  see  that  we  were  nearly  through  our  morning's  work,  I 
told  the  cook  to  get  a  fire  in  the  galley,  and  get  some  boiling  hot 
water  as  quickly  as  possible  for  I  knew  that  it  was  about  time 
for  my  ague  fit  to  come  on,  although  probably  I  didn't  know 
within  an  hour  or  so  what  time  it  was. 

When  the  water  boiled,  the  cook  told  me,  and  I  told  him  to 
take  it  into  the  cabin,  mix  some  molasses  and  ginger  with  it,  and 
I  went  in  with  him,  stripped  off  my  thoroughly  wet  garments,  put 
on  dry  flannels,  and  dressed  all  dry  throughout,  then  began  sip- 


47 

ping  the  hot  ginger  and  water,  thinking  that  it  was  time  for  my 
ague  fit  to  come  on.  I  looked  at  my  v/atch.  It  was  about  an 
hour  and  a  half  past  time.  I  didn't  have  any  more  chills  and 
fever,  but  was  sick  and  weak  for  a  long  time.  When  we  ar- 
rived in  Xew  York,  some  of  the  men  went  to  the  hospital,  while  I 
chartered  my  vessel  the  first  day  in,  to  go  back  to  Tabasco,  not 
up  the  same  river,  but  up  a  shorter  one,  only  about  fifteen  miles 
from  the  mouth.  I  got  my  vessel  to  the  wharf  and  lay  down  to 
rest  as  I  did  I  think  about  every  day  I  was  in  Xew  York. 

Captain  Pratt  the  brother  of  the  girl  that  became  my  wife 
later,  came  on  board  to  see  me.  He  said,  "Ben,  have  you  char- 
tered your  vessel  to  go  up  the  Gonaquil  river?"  I  told  him  I 
had.  "I  don't  know  what  you  are  thinking  of.  It  will  be  Gon- 
a-quil  with  you  this  time." 

I  went  on  discharging  my  vessel  and  took  in  some  cargo  for 
Tabasco.  I  was  not  sufficiently  recovered  from  my  sickness  to 
sit  up  all  day,  so  I  sent  home  for  my  sister's  husband,  knowing 
him  to  be  a  capable,  steady,  and  trusty  man  in  every  way.  He 
came  on,  and  we  sailed  for  Tabasco.  Before  we  arrived,  my 
health  had  improved,  and  I  was  quite  rugged.  When  I  arrived 
off  Tabasco,  I  saw  a  wreck  on  shore,  with  masts  out  of  her,  stripped 
of  sails  and  rigging.  I  was  told  that  she  was  the  English 
brig  I  boarded  the  voyage  before  in  the  river,  whose  Captain  and 
crew  were  so  bitten  with  the  mosquitoes.  Every  one  of  the  crew 
died,  and  a  new  Captain,  officers  and  crew  were  obtained,  but  as 
she  went  to  sea,  she  went  ashore  on  the  bar,  and  thus  ended  the 
whole  crew  and  vessel. 

I  proceeded  uj^  the  Gonaquil  river,  loaded  a  full  cargo  of  log- 
wood. On  my  coming  out,  grounded  on  the  bar  for  want  of 
water.  Night  came  on,  and  the  pilot  not  being  willing  to  stay 
on  board  in  the  night,  left  me  and  went  ashore.  Xext  morning 
at  daylight,  I  was  out  of  sight  of  land,  far  to  sea,  short  of  my 
deck-load.  Arrived  safely  in  Xew  York.  This  was  the  year 
1844. 

I  continued  voyaging  in  the  West  India  l)usiness.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1844,  I  left  the  island  of  Jamaica  for  Campeche,  vessel  in 
ballast.  '  The  third  day  out,  off  the  Isle  of  Percia,  I  encountered 
a  heavy  hurricane.  The  vessel  lay  low  on  her  side,  lost  all  the 
head  sails  in  trying  to  get  her  before  the  wind ;  all  to  no  purpose. 
She  lay  so  low  on  her  side  that  her  rudder  would  not  work.  There 
was  but  one  thing  left;  to  save  the  vessel  and  our  own  lives, 
by  cutting  away  the  mainmast.  I  had  had  oyer  twenty-four 
hours'  notice  of  this  hurricane,  to  make  everything  ready,  the 
vessel  laying  to  under  a  very  small  piece  of  canvas  aft.     She 


48 

laid  so  ver}^  broad  in  the  trough  of  the  sea  that  I  got  a  spare 
3'ard,  bent  a  hawser  on  the  middle,  caged  anchor  on  to  that,  a  rope 
from  each  end  of  the  spar  up  on  to  the  hawser,  so  as  to  be  sure 
to  keep  the  spar  from  turning  end  to  us.  I  paid  it  out  from  the 
weather  bar  about  fifty  to  sixty  fathoms  thinking  that  this  would 
have  a  tendency  to  fetch  the  vessel's  head  more  up  to  the  wind 
and  sea.  Still  this  did  not  have  the  effect  that  I  hoped.  Some 
few  hours  after  this  the  vessel  was  laying  so  very  low  that  she 
was  altogether  unsafe.  It  was  now  about  6  P.  M.  All  this  day 
I  had  had  the  broad-ax  in  the  companion-way  ready  to  grasp 
any  instant.  The  vessel  had  got  listed  over  so  much  that  we 
could  get  along  on  her  side  about  as  well  as  we  could  on  her  deck. 
I  grabbed  my  broad-ax,  and  made  my  way  forward,  hardly 
knowing  whether  I  was  on  the  inside  or  the  outside  of  the  rail. 
One  clip  with  the  ax  chopped  off  the  hawser;  for  I  knew  that 
this  vessel  must  be  got  before  the  wind  to  right  her  up  to  save 
her  and  our  lives,  I  hoisted  up  the  foretopmast-staysail,  that  be- 
ing a  sail  on  the  bowsprit,  thinking  that  that  served  to  get  her  be- 
fore the  wind;  but  before  we  got  the  sail  up  it  was  all  gone,  al- 
though a  good  sail.  We  then  commenced  to  hoist  the  jib.  As  soon 
as  the  wind  got  into  that,  away  went  that.  We  then  went  aloft, 
put  a  lashing  around  the  fore  yard,  just  outside  the  slings  to 
hold  the  canvas  from  blowing  away,  then  took  off  all  the  gaskets 
from  the  weather  side  of  the  foresail,  thinking  the* wind  would 
get  into  that  part  of  the  sail  and  force  her  ahead  so  the  rudder 
would  act,  and  she  would  pay  off  before  the  wind.  The  wind 
took  this  sail  away  the  same  as  it  had  the  other  two,  and  there 
seemed  to  be  no  more  that  we  could  do.  We  lost  all  the  head- 
sails,  the  rudder  would  not  act,  so  the  only  thing  left  was  to  cut 
away  the  mainmast.  This  I  disliked  very  much  to  do,  and 
held  on  for  an  hour  or  more. 

It  grew  dark;  I  knew,  as  the  vessel  lay  so  low,  and  the  water 
was  running  in,  that  when  there  was  enough  together  with  the 
weight  of  the  ballast  she  would  go  down.  I  got  up  on  the  main 
boom  and  gaff,  and  hacked  away  at  the  mainmast  with  the 
broad-ax.  When  I  struck  the  second  clip  I  couldn't  see  where  the 
first  was.  By  feeling  I  got  quite  a  place  cut,  then  got  down  and 
chopped  off  the  lanyards  of  the  main  rigging  on  the  weather 
side.  The  mast  went,  but  hung  right  under  the  lee  quarter,  for 
the  lee  rigging  had  not  been  cut;  in  that  situation  it  acted  the 
same  as  though  it  had  been  a  wheel  backing  water,  and  the  ves- 
sel was  before  the  wind  in  a  very  few  minutes.  We  began  to  feel 
as  though  our  lives  were  lengthened  out  for  a  while  longer.  The 
hurricane  broke  before  12  o'clock,  midnight. 


49 

In  the  morning  it  was  quite  moderate,  pleasant  and  sea  gone 
down.  Still  the  vessel  was  having  a  very  great  list  on  her.  We 
took  off  one  hatch  and  went  into  the  hold.  We  found  her  ballast 
all  shifted  about  on  one  side,  although  it  was  well  secured  with 
shifting  planks,  platformed  over  and  stanchioned  down.  One 
can  well  judge  how  near  this  vessel  came  to  going  over  on  her 
beam  ends ;  for  the  shifting  boards  and  ballast  had  taken  every 
midship  stanchion  away  between  the  fore  and  mainmast,  and 
our  stanchions  and  shifting  plank  were  brought  up  in  the  bilge 
of  the  vessel.  This  was  about  a  day's  work  to  get  the  ballast  back. 
In  the  meantime  we  were  making  all  the  progress  we  could  to- 
wards Cape  Antonia,  the  vessel  being  under  charter  to  load  in 
Campeche  for  New  York.  I  knew  that  a  spar  for  a  mainmast 
could  not  be  procured  there;  so  shaped  my  course  for  Xew  Or- 
leans. We  arrived  there  without  any  more  accidents.  Then  we 
rigged  up  with  a  new  mainmast  and  did  what  other  repairs  were 
necessary.  As  we  had  had  in  sand  ballast  I  was  afraid  that  it 
had  got  down  under  the  ceiling  to  the  pump  so  that  it  might 
choke  the  pump.  So  we  had  the  ballast  all  cleared  away  and  the 
pump  raised  for  a  thorough  examination.  I  was  down  in  the 
hold,  my  shirt  sleeves  shoved  clear  up  to  my  armpits,  feeling 
down  to  see  whether  there  was  any  sand,  so  as  to  be  sure  it  was 
all  clear  before  putting  the  pump  back.  It  was  very  warm  and 
I  all  of  a  sweat.    Some  one  called  from  the  deck, — 

"Captain,  here's  a  gentleman  wants  to  see  you." 

I  went  on  deck  at  once,  and  the  gentleman  looked  to  me,  as  I 
thought,  very  much  surprised.  He  said,  "Are  you  Captain  of 
this  vessel."    I  replied  "I  am." 

I  think  he  looked  more  surprised.    He  said, — 

"Could  you  take   a  freight  of  flour  for  Campeche  ?" 

"I  would  if  the  rate  of  freight  would  suit  me." 

He  handed  me  his  card,  saying,  "Will  you  come  over  to  my 
office  to-morrow  morning  at  nine  o'clock  ?" 

I  answered  that  I  would. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning  I  was  at  his  office.  He  didn't 
seem  to  know  me.    I  said, 

"I  think  you  are  the  gentleman  who  was  aboard  my  vessel,  the 
Levant,  yesterday  afternoon?" 

"Yes,  are  you  the  Captain  of  that  vessel  ?" 

I  replied  I  was. 

He  said,  looking  me  over,  "You  do  look  more  like  a  Captain 
than  you  did  yesterday:"  but  we  very  soon  closed  the  trade, — a 
full  cargo  of  flour  for  Campeche  at  one  dollar  a  barrel. 


50 

We  arrived  in  Campeche  and  loaded  for  New  York.  Arrived 
there,  and  ended  a  very  successful  voyage,  much  more  so  than 
though  I  hadn't  lost  my  mast  and  suffered  the  hurricane.  Get- 
ting this  full  cargo  of  flour  helped  me  out.  We  then  chartered 
for  Xew  Orleans.  As  I  hadn't  been  home  for  perhaps  a  year  I 
went  to  Yarmouth,  and  stopped  thirty-six  hours,  took  the  girl 
that  became  my  wife  and  came  to  New  York.  I  was  married 
there  on  the  19th  day  of  January,  1845,  by  the  Eev.  Henry 
Chase,  minister  of  the  Gospel ;  in  a  few  days  sailed  for  New  Or- 
leans. We  had  a  very  pleasant  passage  with  the  exception  of  my 
wife  being  very  seasick.  We  discharged  the  cargo,  and  went  one 
hundred  miles  above  New  Orleans  and  loaded  with  molasses,  and 
then  returned  to  New  York.  The  next  voyage  was  to  the  Bay  of 
Mexico, — very  successful  and  pleasant  with  the  exception  of  my 
wife's  sickness.   She  had  so  much  fever  that  her  hair  all  came  out. 

The  next  voyage  was  to  the  Island  of  St.  Thomas,  and  to 
Bonaire.  Next  voyage  to  St.  Jago,  and  to  Nansanilla,  and  back 
to. New  York.  I'll  state  here  that  one  voyage  my  wife  was  with 
me  from  New  York  to  Havana  and  back,  a  voyage  made  in 
twenty-eight  days ;  the  next  voyage  was  thirty-seven  days  out  and 
back;  next  voyage  forty-two  days.  So  I  continued  in  the  West 
India  trade  until  Januar}^,  1847.  Then  I  loaded  with  full  cargo 
of  grain  in  bulk.  This  small  vessel  was  loaded  down  with  decks 
not  much  above  the  water,  and  was  bound  to  Sligo  on  the  north- 
west part  of  Ireland.  We  had  a  boisterous  passage  of  nineteen 
days.  One  very  heavy  gale  we  had  stove  the  galley  so  there  was 
no  cooking  for  a  number  of  days,  only  what  we  did  over  a  little 
cylinder  stove  in  the  cabin.  When  we  got  on  the  coast  of  Ireland 
we  made  land,  with  wind  blowing  a  perfect  gale.  We  did  not 
dare  to  run  near  to  it  for  fear  we  could  not  get  a  pilot.  I  knew 
that  if  I  got  near  the  land  and  didn't  get  a  pilot  that  it  was 
blowing  so  heavy  we  could  not  keep  the  vessel  off  from  the  land. 
So  we  were  in  this  disagreeable  situation  hanging  off  from  the 
land,  for  five  days.  Then  it  died  down  to  a  moderate  gale.  .  I 
ran  the  vessel  in,  and  made  the  entrance  of  Sligo.  Still  no  pilot 
in  sight.  But  I  was  so  near  in  that  I  was  obliged  to  keep  on.  As 
I  entered  I  had  to  haul  round  a  point  of  land,  and  there  was  the 
pilot-boat.  The  pilot  came  on  board,  ran  up  a  short  distance  and 
came  to  anchor,  it  being  dark.  It  blew  so  heavily  that  we  let  go 
both  anchors,  and  paid  out  all  the  chain.  Next  morning  it  had 
moderated  somewhat.  I  left  and  went  up  to  Sligo  by  land.  It 
soon  after  commenced  to  blow  so  heavily,  by  the  first  part  of  the 
afternoon  the  pilot  didn't  think  it  safe  for  the  vessel  to  remain 
there  and  it  blew  so  heavily  we  couldn't  get  the    anchors.     So 


51 

slipped  them  both  and  vessel  around  up  to  Sligo  before  dark 
without  cables  or  anchor.  I  hired  some  men  with  a  launch,  and 
they  got  the  anchors  up  and  brought  them  to  the  vessel. 

This  was  the  time  of  the  Irish  famine.  Xo  one  can  appreciate 
the  sufferings  without  having  seen  it.  The  poor  people  would 
pick  up  kernels  of  corn  on  the  wharf  and  eat  them.  If  I  left  the 
vessel  I  was  followed  by  a  small  army  of  beggars.  It  was  im- 
possible to  supply  all  their  wants,  although  we  did  the  best  we 
could.  One  dav  in  my  absence  the  mate  of  the  vessel  came  into 
the  cabin  and  told  my  wife  that  there  was  a  man  on  the  wharf 
almost  frozen  to  death.  She  went  on  deck  and,  I  think,  on  to 
the  wharf,  and  had  the  mate  get  him  up, — he  was  lying  down, — 
with  the  assistance  of  others  of  the  crew,  and  taKC  him  on  board 
the  vessel  and  into  the  galley.  There  by  means  of  much  rubbing 
and  hot  coffee  he  revived  so  as  to  eat.  He  was  kept  on  board  the 
vessel  until  he  seemed  to  be  well  recovered,  and  fed  as  much  as 
was  proper  for  the  situation  he  was  in.  His  pockets  were  filled 
with  some  kind  of  food  and  he  was  sent  away.  It  wouldn't  (lo  to 
give  him  a  bundle  of  food  for  others  would  follow  and  get  it 
away  from  him.  We  couldn't  allow  those  poor  people  to  come 
on  board  the  vessel ;  for  if  we  did  the  deck  would  be  full  of  them 
all  the  time  but  thev  would  stand  on  the  wharf  alono^side  the; 
vessel  and  make  their  grievances  known  and  l)eg  for  food. 

AVe  discharged  our  cargo  and  took  in  ballast  and  sailed  for  St. 
Thomas,  glad  to  get  out  of  sight  of  so  much  suffering,  but  we 
didn't  get  it  out  of  mind.  I  am  sure  I  never  shall  live  long 
enough  to  forget  the  terrible  suffering  I  saw  in  Sligo. 

We  had  a  hard  time  to  get  clear  of  the  land  with  heavy  gales 
for  about  ten  or  twelve  days.  The  vessel  tossed  on  the  sea  almost 
as  if  she  were  an  egg-shell.  Most  of  the  time  she  was  under  a 
heavy  press  of  canvas.  I  well  remember  how  she  used  to  shake 
and  tremble.  After  this  the  wind  canted  more  to  the  northwest  so 
that  we  made  a  good  slant  south,  and  got  down  into  the  noi'th- 
east  trade  winds.  The  rest  of  the  passage  was  pleasant  to  St. 
Thomas. 

We  chartered  there  to  go  to  Mayaguez,  Porto  Rico,  to  load 
sugar  for  Xew  York,  at  one  dollar  per  hundred.  I  had  twenty- 
seven  pence  a  bushel  freight  from  Xew  York  to  Sligo,— about 
fifty-two  cents.  This  voyage  ended  very  profitably.  I  niade  one 
more  West  India  voyage  and  then  put  another  man  into  my  ves- 
sel and  sent  her  out  to  Tuba,  while  I  went  home  to  Yarmouth 
with  mv  wife  to  make  a  visit. 


CHAPTER     IX. 

COMMAND    OF   BARK    AGENORA. 

While  at  home  at  this  time  I  bought  half  of  a  double-decked 
bark  that  was  being  built,  with  the  understanding  that  I  should 
take  charge  of  everything,  I  to  plan  her  decks  and  have  every- 
thing as  I  wanted  it.  This  vessel  was  finished  and  taken  to  Port- 
land, where  it  was  chartered  to  load  for  Havana.  While  she  was 
loading  I  returned  to  Yarmouth,  settled  up  with  the  man  of 
whom  I  had  purchased  it,  and  bought  another  sixteenth.  This 
gave  me  nine  sixteenths  and  Mr.  J.  Baker  seven  sixteenths. 

I  sailed  and  arrived  in  Havana,  discharged  and  loaded  for 
Hamburg.  I  had  a  good  freight  of  three  pounds  per  ton.  In 
going  up  the  English  Channel  bound  to  Hamburg  I  was  a  num- 
ber of  days  in  the  Channel  with  head  winds.  Many  boats  came 
off  from  the  shore,  and  told  me  that  the  port  of  Hamburg  was 
blockaded.  I  well  remember  one  morning, — I  was  probably  not 
so  pleasant  as  I  might  have  been, — we  had  a  strong  breeze  of 
wind  and  the  vessel  listed  down.  One  boat  came  alongside  and 
they  could  climb  right  off  the  boat  over  the  rail,  she  was  down 
so  much.  One  of  them  came  right  up  to  me  and  asked  where  I 
was  bound.    I  replied  "To  Hamburg.'' 

He  said,  "Hamburg's  blockaded;  you  can't  go  there.  I  can 
take  you  into  the  Isle  of  Wight." 

I  replied,  "Didn't  I  tell  you  that  I  was  bound  to  Hamburg  ?" 

"Do  you  persist  in  going  there  after  I  tell  you  it  is  blockaded  ? 
I'll  go  on  shore  and  report  you." 

I  started  for  him  and  told  him  he  couldn't  be  too  quick.  He 
went  into  his  boat  much  more  quickly  than  he  came  out. 

I  continued  until  I  got  up  to  Dover  and  came  to  anchor;  a 
boat  came  off  to  me.  I  asked  him  if  he  knew  of  a  good  N^orth  sea 
pilot.    He  told  me  he  did,  and  he  was  at  home. 

"How  long  will  it  take  you  to  get  him  and  bring  him  off  here  ?" 

"I  think  less  than  an  hour,"  was  his  reply. 

The  pilot  came  on  board.  I  questioned  him  thoroughly.  By 
his  appearance  and  his  answer  I  made  up  my  mind  he  was  the 
man  I  wanted.  Then  I  said,  "How  much  will  you  take  this  ves- 
sel to  Hamburg  for?" 

He  replied,  "Are  you  aware  that  it  is  blockaded  ?" 


V.', 


">  o  ■>  ) 

O  J  •  4 

5  3   3    3 

*  » 

->    3   ' 

•a    -9 

3    3    3    3 
3  3    3    3 


3  3    3  0 


O     3 


3    3  3    3 


3  3  3    3 
33   3   3 

3  3  3    3 


•  '333 
3  3   3    3 


53 


"I  am,  but  I  am  going  to  try  to  get  there." 

I  said  also,  "Now  if  we  get  up  there,  and  fall  in  with  the 
blockade,  and  are  ordered  off  and  have  to  come  down  to  Flushing 
Roads,  I  shall  pay  you  your  pilotage  the  same  as  though  we  went 


m. 


He  told  me  the  number  of  pounds  he  would  go  for.  Then  I 
asked  if  he  could  go  into  the  mouth  of  the  Elbe,  in  by  the  light- 
ship in  the  night.    He  said  that  he  could. 

Then  I  said,  "I'll  give  you  your  price.  If  we  succeed  in  keep- 
ing clear  of  the  blockade  and  get  in,  I'll  make  you  a  present  of 
live  pounds." 

He  went  on  shore  and  soon  returned  with  his  things.  We  got 
under  way  immediately  and  proceeded,  this  being  the  first  and 
only  time  that  ever  I  took  a  North  Sea  pilot.  Perhaps  the  next 
afternoon  we  were  running  up  with  a  strong  fair  wind,  all  light 
sails  and  steersails  set.  The  pilot  said,  "We  don't  know  how  far 
down  those  men-of-war  may  be.  I  think  it  would  be  advisable  to 
take  in  all  light  sails  and  go  slow  till  dark." 

We  discovered  nothing  all  the  afternoon  although  keeping  a 
bright  look-out  from  aloft.  As  soon  as  dark,  we  put  all  sail  on 
the  vessel  again,  there  was  strong  wind,  and  continued  our  course 
for  the  mouth  of  the  Elbe.  Xo  lights  were  allowed  to  be  lighted 
on  board,  only  one  shaded  one,  so  that  the  man  at  the  wheel 
could  see  the  compass. 

Before  twelve  o'clock  at  night  we  made  the  man-of-war,  about 
six  points  on  our  starboard  bow.  She  was  all  lighted  up  like  a 
steamboat.  As  soon  as  seen  we  changed  our  course,  and  went 
more  to  the  port  to  get  further  away.  When  we  had  sailed  along 
so  she  was  after  the  beam  we  changed  our  course  again  as  it 
was  before.  I  hardly  think  there  was  a  word  spoken  aloud, 
everything  was  as  silent  as  could  be,  and  when  the  man-of-war 
was  astern  and  we  were  sure  it  hadn't  changed  its  course,  I 
doubt  not  every  one  felt  relieved,  myself  in  particular.  We  soon 
made  the  light  on  the  island  of  Heligoland  and  then  the  light 
boat  in  the  mouth  of  the  river.  We  continued  on  and  ran  in  pa,st 
the  light  boat  well  into  the  mouth  of  the  river  and  cajne  to  anchor. 

The  next  morning  the  river  pilot  came  aboard  and  at  sunrise 
we  were  getting  under  way  with  American  flag  flying  and  the 
Danish  man-of-war  so  near  in  that  he  could  see  it  plainly.  We 
arrived  in  Hamburg  to  the  surprise  of  every  one  that  we  had 
run  the  blockade. — There  was  not  an  American  ship  in  port. 

I  chartered  for  New  York,  a  very  high  charter.  The  lower 
hold  was  full  of  cargo  and  a  full  complement  of  passengers  be- 
tween decks, — perhaps  300  or  more.    A  Boston  l)ark  left  Havana 


54 

three  days  before  I  did  bound  to  Hamburg.  I  think  I  had  been 
in  six  days  when  she  came  along,  and  fell  in  with  the  blockade 
and  was  ordered  off.  She  went  back  to  Flushing  Roads  and  lay 
till  the  next  summer.    This  was  during  July  and  August. 

When  we  sailed  for  Xew  York,  we  discharged  our  pilot  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river.  We  saw  the  blockading  ship  in  the  offing; 
and  passed  quite  near  to  her.  She  didn't  want  anything  of  us 
and  by  the  laws  of  nations  she  couldn't  trouble  us  outward 
bound.  But  I  have  little  doubt  that  the  remark  was  made  aboard 
of  her, — "That's  the  Yankee  that  ran  the  blockade."  We  ar- 
rived in  New  York  after  a  pleasant  passage  of  thirty-five  days 
with  no  sickness  or  other  calamity.  So  ended  this  prosperous 
voyage. 

Then  I  chartered  for  Limerick,  in  Ireland,  then  up  the  Medi- 
terranean to  Palermo,  for  a  cargo  of  fruit  to  Xew  York.  As  my 
vessel  was  new  and  had  only  made  one  voyage  we  had  to  metal 
her  bottom.  This  is  done  to  keep  the  worms  from  eating  the 
2:)lank.  We  sailed  and  arrived  in  the  river  that  leads  up  to  Lim- 
erick, going  up  with  a  fair  wind.  The  pilot  plumped  her  on  to 
a  ledge.  We  took  in  all  our  sails  then  carried  a  small  anchor  with 
a  hawser  attached  to  it  out  astern,  and  as  it  was  a  flowing  tide 
we  got  off  without  any  accident  except  the  loss  of  a  few  sheets  of 
metal.  We  sent  up  to  Limerick  for  another  pilot  and  arrived 
safely.  The  first  pilot  that  put  her  on  a  ledge  I  said  I  would  not 
pay.  He  begged  of  me  not  to  report  him  to  the  commissioners 
as  he  feared  if  I  did  he  would  lose  his  branch.  My  consignee 
was  chairman  of  the  commissioners.  I  stated  the  case  to  him. 
and  he  told  me  that  I  could  make  a  statement  of  the  case  and 
he  would  have  his  branch  taken  from  him.  I  had  no  desire  to 
injure  the  man  by  depriving  him  of  his  means  of  livelihood. 
The  tide  rises  and  falls  so  much  in  Limerick  that  it  ebbed  away 
from  the  vessel  every  low  water  so  that  we  repaired  our  metal 
that  was  injured  by  the  pilot  getting  us  on  the  ledge  with  very 
little  expense. 

The  morning  that  the  vessel  was  going  down  the  river  in  charge 
of  a  pilot  I  had  to  stop  to  finish  up  my  business,  supposing  that 
I  should  join  the  vessel  that  evening.  About  the  time  that  she 
went  away  this  pilot  that  had  put  her  on  the  ledge  appeared.  Ho 
assisted  in  casting  off  the  lines  to  let  her  go,  and  then  he  appealed 
to  me  to  give  him  something.  He  admitted  that  he  had  no  claim 
for  pilotage  but  his  wife  and  children  were  suffering  for  food, 
and  he  was  without  money.  His  pitiful  story  touched  me,  and 
I  gave  him  a  five  pound  note.  He  took  it  and  thanked  me  very 
kindh^,  and  told  me  that  he  knew  he  had  no  claim  for  pilotage, 


36 

but  the  money  that  I  had  given  him  would  relieve  his  family, 
and  he  could  go  home  to  them  carrying  food. 

Instead  of  doing  that  he  went  off  and  hired  a  lawyer  and  I 
was  arrested  in  less  than  an  hour.  I  went  right  uj)  with  the 
sheriff  and  saw  my  consignee.  He  became  my  bondsman.  I 
had  to  appear  in  court  that  afternoon.  Then  I  said  to  my  con- 
signee, "I  want  a  good  lawyer." 

He  told  me  of  one,  and  sent  a  clerk  with  me  to  the  lawyer's 
office.  I  told  him  my  story.  He  requested  me  to  be  at  his  office 
at  2  P.  M.    I  left  and  went  on  with  my  business. 

When  this  pilot  was  casting  off  the  ropes,  Capt.  Small  of  the 
American  bark  Glynn  of  Freeport,  Me.,  was  standing  there  and 
heard  all  the  conversation  between  the  pilot  and  myself  and  saw 
me  give  him  the  five  pound  note. 

Just  before  dinner  time  this  Captain  Small  came  into  the  office 
where  I  was  and  asked  me  to  take  dinner  aboard  his  vessel.  As 
she  was  but  a  short  distance  away,  I  gladly  accepted.  After  we 
were  through  dinner  I  invited  him  to  go  up  to  my  lawyer's  and 
up  to  the  court  house,  not  thinking  I  should  want  to  use  him.  He 
accepted  the  invitation,  and  we  went  to  the  lawyer's  office.  Then 
we  three  started  for  the  court  house.  On  the  way  he  took  me  by 
the  arm.  Only  think  of  my  feelings  walking  arm  in  arm  with 
the  best  lawyer  in  Limerick.  He  said,  "Xow,  if  they  put  you  on 
the  stand  you  tell  the  truth  if  you  have  a  mind  to,  but  don't  you 
mind  what  I  say." 

The  case  was  opened  immediately,  and  this  pilot  had  a  half 
dozen  witnesses  or  more  to  be  examined.  He  proved  that  the 
vessel  wouldn't  steer,  and  that  caused  the  accident.  I  don't  sup- 
pose any -one  of  these  witnesses  knew  anything  about  the  case 
except  as  he  had  told  them  to  swear.  As  my  vessel  had  gone  I 
had  no  witnesses  at  all.  The  lawyers  began  their  arguments. 
When  my  lawyer  was  making  his  argument,  his  opponent  came 
up  back  of  the  judge  and  whispered  in  his  ear.  My  lawyer 
grabbed  him  and  hauled  him  away,  saying,  "You  shouldn't  be 
whispering  in  the  judge's  ear."  So  my  lawyer  went  on  with  his 
argument,  quite  at  length  but  with  very  little  truth  in  it.  He 
stated  that  this  vessel  was  just  newly  coppered  in  New  York,  and 
chartered  to  go  up  to  Palermo  to  get  a  cargo  of  fruit  for  N^ew 
York;  that  now  by  this  pilot  running  her  ashore  and  stripping 
off  so  much  of  her  copper  when  there  was  no  chance  to  remetal 
her,  she  would  have  to  return  to  ?^ew  York  to  remetal,  and  as 
that  would  be  a  deviation  of  the  voyage  the  owners  would  have 
to  pay  a  large  forfeiture.  Any  one  that  knew  anything  about 
vessels  and  their  business  would  know  that  the  argument  was 


56 

mostly  his.  I  felt  as  though  I  had  lost  the  case  by  my  own  law- 
yer's lying.  As  soon  as  he  sat  down  I  was  on  my  feet,  stepped  a 
few  steps  toward  the  judge,  and  said, — 

"Will  vour  honor  allow  me  to  make  a  few  statements  of  the 
facts  as  they  were  ?" 

He  consented.  I  began  with  the  time  the  vessel  ran  on  the 
ledge,  and  told  the  whole  process  of  getting  her  off ;  I  told  of  the 
sending  for  another  pilot  because  I  couldn't  trust  the  other,  "and 
now,''  I  said,  "he  has  quite  a  number  of  witnesses  here  that  tes- 
tify that  they  were  down  the  river  and  that  they  saw  the  whole, 
and  that  the  refusal  of  the  vessel  to  steer  caused  the  accident.  I 
state  to  your  Honor  that  there  wasn't  a  boat  in  sight  when  this 
vessel  went  on  the  ledge,  so  that  their  evidence  is  manufactured 
for  the  occasion.  I  never  saw  him  from  the  time  the  vessel  made 
fast  to  the  wharf  till  we  were  casting  off  to  go  away.  He  helped 
do  it;  after  the  vessel  was  gone  he  told  me  he  knew  he  had  no 
claim  for  pilotage  but  his  wife  and  children  were  destitute  and 
he  hadn't  any  money  to  buy  food  for  them,  that  if  I  would  give 
him  something  he  would  consider  it  very  kind  in  me.  His  appeal 
of  destitution  touched  me  very  much  and  I  gave  him  a  five  pound 
note.  He  thanked  me  and  seemed  very  much  pleased  and  left  as 
I  supposed  to  buy  food.  Less  than  one  hour  I  was  under  arrest. 
And  here  he  is  now  with  a  lot  of  witnesses  who  have  sworn  to 
what  he  has  requested  them.  I  fully  believe  this  to  be  the  case 
for  I  know  they  did  not  see  the  vessel  on  the  ledge." 

"This  is  all  I  have  to  say,  your  Honor;  and  I  have  given  you 
a  plain  statement  of  the  facts." 

The  judge  said,  "Can  you  prove  that  he  said  that  he  had  no 
claim  on  you  ?" 

"Yes.  I  have  a  gentleman.  Captain  Small,  master  of  an 
American  bark.  He  asked  me  to  take  dinner  with  him  today  as 
my  vessel  is  gone,  and  after  dinner  I  asked  him  here  not  thinking 
I  should  need  him.  His  name  is  Charles  Small.  I'd  like  to  have 
him  called  and  let  him  make  a  statement  under  oath  of  the  con- 
versation that  he  heard  between  this  pilot  and  me." 

He  was  called,  made  his  statement  and  the  judge  said, 

"Captain,  you  are  discharged."  So  there  was  no  cost  except  in 
anxiety. 

I  joined  my  vessel  and  sailed  for  and  arrived  at  Palermo,  a 
pleasant  and  safe  passage.  Although  we  were  from  New  York, 
and  by  the  w^ay  of  Limerick,  and  there  was  no  sickness  in  either 
port,  still  they  quarantined  us  for  twenty-one  days.  They  took 
my  vessel's  papers  from  my  hands  with  a  pair  of  tongs  eight  to 
ten  feet  long,  and  held  them  over  a  little  fire  of  smoke  that  they 


67 

had  made  for  the  occasion.  This  we  thought  was  cruel,  and  we 
knew  needless,  to  be  confined  on  board  the  vessel  twenty-one 
days,  but  we  had  to  comply  with  it.  Their  quarantine  laws  are 
so  strict  that  if  a  vessel  has  laid  out  about  her  time  and  another 
vessel  has  just  commenced  her  days  of  quarantine,  that  if  a  bird 
should  light  on  the  one  that  has  just  commenced  her  quarantine 
then  fly  and  light  on  the  one  that  the  quarantine  is  almost  out. 
the  latter  has  to  lay  out  the  quarantine  of  the  one  just  com- 
menced. 

Ill  state  a  few  things  of  interest  to  us  after  we  were  out  of 
quarantine.  The  vessel  lay  an  anchor  off  and  stern  hawser  to 
the  quay,  so  that  she  was  not  more  than  twenty-five  feet  from  the 
quay.  They  have  barbers  there  that  go  round  with  a  little  stool ; 
when  they  can  find  a  customer  he  sits  on  the  stool  and  is  shaved. 
A  few  days  before  I  arrived  one  of  these  barbers  was  down  on 
the  quay  about  noon  when  the  laborers  had  gone  for  their  dinner. 
Some  fellow  came  along  who  had  a  grudge  against  the  barber 
and  he  killed  him  and  went  off  and  left  him  lying  there.  Soon 
after  another  fellow  came  along,  took  out  his  big  knife  and  cut 
the  head  from  the  body  and  threw  it  away  some  distance.  I 
have  no  doubt  as  to  the  truth  of  this  as  it  was  told  to  me  by 
parties  whom  I  believed. 

One  pleasant  morning  a  guide  came  down  with  two  little 
donkeys  in  addition  to  the  one  he  rode  on.  Mrs.  Webster  and 
myself  soon  mounted  on  the  other  two  and  were  off  for  a  very 
high  mountain.  We  could  seldom  see  the  top  of  it  for  clouds. 
This  took  us  hours,  I  think  over  three,  to  go  to  the  top.  Then 
we  didn't  look  up  to  see  the  clouds,  but  down.  After  we 
descended  a  short  distance  we  came  to  a  Catholic  church  or 
chapel  which  seemed  to  be  in  a  cave.  It  was  furnished  with 
tables,  chairs,  and  so  on.  Hanging  up  round  the  walls  was  hair 
cut  from  female's  heads,  done  up  in  large  twists.  Our  guide 
told  us  that  some  women  had  promised  if  certain  things  should 
come  to  them,  they  would  give  all  the  hair  from  their  heads  to 
this  church.  Others  promised  in  the  same  way,  that  if  certain 
things  came  to  them  they  would  go  up  this  mountain  backwards 
till  they  came  to  the  church.  Others  promised  to  crawl  up  the 
mountain  on  their  hands  and  knees.  On  our  descending  we  saw 
one  person  plodding  her  way  up  in  this  situation.  We  returned 
to  our  vessel  just  before  night  quite  tired  but  pleased  with  our 
journey. 

Another  day  we  visited  a  Catholic  church  and  went  dowru 
twenty  feet  or  more,  till  we  came  to  a  large  mortuary  where  we 
found  doubtless  thousands  of  dead  bodies,  some  laying  on  shelves 


58 

dressed  and  gloved  as  though  alive  and  looking  natural;  others 
standing  against  the  walls,  some  almost  hard  to  believe  dead. 
For  all  those  that  looked  so  much  like  life,  their  friends  had  to 
fetch  so  many  wax  candles,  enough  to  burn  for  a  year.  If  they 
failed  to  do  that  they  were  taken  out  and  put  into  the  ground. 
This  place  was  all  lighted  by  the  wax  candles,  perhaps  two  can- 
dles to  every  body. 

Another  day  we  visited  a  park  with  a  guide.  We  went  through 
winding  paths  and  roads  till  we  were  well  into  the  woods,  and  we 
came  to  a  nice  looking  little  house,  with  steps  to  the  door.  The 
guide  said  that  any  one  who  liked  could  go  up  there  and  the 
door  would  be  opened.  We  all  supposed  that  we  would  get  an 
inside  view  of  this  house  or  cottage,  so  Mrs.  Webster  ascended 
the  steps.  As  soon  as  she  stepped  on  the  upper  step  the  doors  flew 
open  and  there  was  an  image  dressed  like  a  priest,  within  three 
feet  of  her,  bowing  very  politely.  Of  course,  she  turned  and  came 
down.  I  think  few  women  could  have  met  that  sudden  sur- 
prise without  being  very  much  frightened.  Mrs.  Webster  did  not 
show  the  least  alarm.  We  went  to  another  house.  The  guide 
requested  us  to  stand  one  side  while  he  went  up  to  the  door, 
standing  a  little  one  side  of  the  door.  It  flew  open  and  there 
was  another  image  of  a  priest  holding  the  pipe  of  a  water  hose 
in  his  hand,  I  think  the  water  squirted  from  it  twenty  or  thirty 
feet. 

We  visited  one  more  house.  The  door  flew  open,  and  there 
was  a  priest  sitting  at  the  table  with  an  open  Bible.  His  face 
turned  toward  us;  he  motioned  with  his  hand  for  us  to  leave. 
This  guide  told  me  that  he  had  never  taken  any  one  into  this 
park  who  could  find  the  way  out.  I  said,  "Let  me  go  ahead," 
and  I  went  out,  they  all  following  me,  very  much  to  the  guide's 
surprise.  I  told  the  company  how  I  did  it.  There  had  been  a 
light  shower,  and  of  these  high  trees,  the  branches  extended  over 
the  walks.  When  we  went  in  we  disturbed  the  leaves,  so  I  discov- 
ered the  way,  by  the  dew  from  the  leaves. 

Another  day  we  took  a  carriage  and  drove  out  about  six  miles 
to  a  church  on  high  land  in  a  very  small  village  of  a  few  small 
houses.  We  left  our  carriage  and  went  into  the  church.  It  was 
very  nice  and  expensive.  The  inside  was  all  mosaic  work.  As 
we  came  out  we  were  surrounded  by  beggars.  They  followed  us 
to  our  carriage,  and  the  driver  started  Up  immediately,  but  they 
followed  holding  out  their  hands  into  the  carriage.  The  driver 
,  seeing  the  situation  whipped  his  horses  into  a  run,  and  got  clear 
of  these  dangerous  people.     When  I  told  where  we  had  been  to 


59 

the  U.  S.  Consul  he  said  it  was  very  dangerous  for  us  to  run  that 
risk,  as  it  had  happened  that  people  were  stolen  and  hid  away, 
and  a  high  ransom  demanded.  After  being  told  the  danger  that 
we  went  through  it  would  have  required  a  large  amount  of  money 
to  hire  me  to  make  another  excursion  of  the  same  kind. 

Mrs.  Webster  spent  considerable  time  with  the  U.  S.  Consul's 
wife  while  we  were  in  port.  She  told  her  of  the  terrible  Civil 
war  JQst  ended  there,  and  we  were  told  of  it  by  others.  It  was 
terribly  cruel.    They  killed  people  in  the  streets  and  let  them  lie. 

In  a  short  time  our  vessel  was  loaded  and  we  sailed  for  New 
York.  For  a  fortnight  after  we  were  out  we  had  light  head 
winds,  and  made  but  little  progress. 

We  hadn't  got  near  down  to  Gibraltar,  when,  one  pleasant 
morning,  there  was  a  bark  right  astern  of  us.  The  Captain  said 
he  was  bound  from  Palermo  to  Baltimore,  and  that  he  was  going 
into  Palermo  when  I  was  going  out.  I  think  by  the  way  he  spoke 
that  he  was  pleased  with  his  doings.  I  didn't  rejoice  with  him  a 
bit.  Soon  after  the  wind  breezed  up  ahead,  and  away  he  went, 
and  I  believe  he  outsailed  me  one  fifth.  He  tacked  ship  in  the 
afternoon,  and  as  he  came  along,  I  think  he"  was  six  or  eight  miles 
to  the  windward  of  me, — a  terrible  beat.  I  didn't  see  any  more 
of  him  for  about  a  week  or  ten  days,  and  we  had  got  through  the 
Straits  of  Gibraltar  and  well  clear  of  the  land,  but  with  a  strong 
head  wind. 

My  vessel  was  on  the  port  tack  heading  to  the  northwest.  I 
sighted  a  vessel  a  little  on  our  weather-bow.  My  vessel  at  this 
time  was  under  close  reefed  topsails,  reefed  courser,  inner  jib 
and  reefed  spanker.  I  have  no  doubt  she  was  doing  all  she  could 
judging  by  the  way  she  trembled.  As  I  came  up  with  this  vessel 
I  found  her  to  be  the  same  one  that  had  sailed  me  out  of  sight  ten 
days  before.  He  was  laying  too  under  a  main  spencer  with  his 
royal  and  top  gallant  yards  down.  When  a  vessel  is  in  this  situa- 
tion the  Captain  must  think  that  it  is  very  heavy  weather. 

The  next  day  the  wind  canted  more  to  the  northwest,  and  I 
wore  ship  and  got  on  the  starboard  tack.  The  wind  continued  to 
become  more  northerly  and  at  the  least  let  up  of  wind  we  would 
add  more  canvas.  I  have  not  a  doubt  that  if  this  vessel  had  been 
human  and  could  have  spoken  it  would  have  said  "You  don't  let 
me  rest  a  biti" 

The  wind  had  continued  to  haul  round  until  it  got  on  our 
starboard  quarter.  We  had  increased  our  canvas  till  we  had  the 
topgallant  sail  set.  I  thought  the  vessel  had  about  all  the  can- 
vas she  could  bear.     Mrs.  Webster  said,  "Can't  you  get  that  fore- 


60 

topmast-staysail  boom  out  and  get  some  preventers  on  it  so 
that  you  can  set/  the  f oretopmast-staysail  ?"  This  sliows  how 
anxious  she  was  to  drive  a  vessel  ahead. 

I  arrived  in  New  York,  received  $50  from  my  consignee  for 
the  quick  passage  I  had  made;  for  being  loaded  mostly  with 
oranges  they  think  a  great  deal  of  a  quick  passage.  About  six 
days  after  my  arrival  I  saw  the  arrival  of  this  bark  that  had 
beaten  me  so  much  in  Baltimore.  Doubtless  our  feelings  had 
changed, — mine  to  pleasure  and  perhaps  pride,  doubtless  his  to 
envy  or  mortification. 

After  discharging,  I  ballasted  my  vessel  and  sailed  to  Havana. 
On  my  arrival,  I  chartered  for  three  pounds,  fifteen  shillings  per 
ton  for  Cowes  and  a  market,  and  was  ordered  to  London  to  dis- 
charge. While  there  I  took  Mrs.  Webster  to  see  many  things 
that  were  interesting,  amongst  other  things  the  block  that  Mary 
Queen  of  Scots  laid  her  head  on  and  the  ax  that  beheaded  her. 
and  some  of  the  clothes  that  Lord  Nelson  wore  at  the  battle  of 
Trafalgar  when  he  was  shot, — the  vest  with  the  blood  stains  on 
it ;  also  Napoleon's  carriage  that  was  taken  from  him.  We  sailed 
from  there  for  Cardiff,  Wales,  and  loaded  for  New  York.  We 
arrived  there  after  a  pleasant  and  successful  voyage. 


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3)33 

CHAPTER  X. 

TOOK  COMMAND  OF  THE  SHIP  PUMGUSTUCK. 

Two  years  and  nine  months  from  the  time  I  sailed  from  Port- 
land in  this  vessel  new,  I  put  my  mate,  a  young  man,  in  command 
of  her.  In  this  two  years  and  nine  months  I  had  metalled  this 
vessel,  paid  for  it  and  all  of  her  cost  within  $300.  After  getting 
her  away  I  came  home  and  stopped  at  home  nearly  a  year ;  had  a 
ship  built  of  which  I  owned  one  third.  Mr.  Baker  who  had 
owned  seven  sixteenths  of  the  bark  I  left  owned  two  thirds  of 
her.  We  filled  her  full  of  hay  on  our  own  account.  We  sailed 
from  Portland  under  double  reefed  topsails,  passed  Portland 
light  just  as  they  were  lighting  it.  That  night  it  blew  very 
heavily  and  we  had  to  come  under  very  short  canvas,  wind  on  her 
quarter,  but  still  kept  her  on  her  course,  and  arrived  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi  Bar,  nine  days  from  Portland.  I  know  of  no 
ship  that  has  ever  made  the  passage  in  that  short  time.  Sold  the 
hay  and  loaded  for  Boston.  We  arrived  and  loaded  again  for 
New  Orleans,  arrived  out  safely.  We  loaded  cotton  for  St.  Peters- 
burg. 

As  is  the  custom  in  New  Orleans  we  get  our  men  aboard  in  the 
evening,  and  go  down  the  river  with  a  heavy  tug-boat.  This 
time  the  tug-boat  had  another  ship  in  tow  besides  mine.  Men 
were  allowed  to  stay  in  all  night  and  they  were  called  out  the 
first  thing  for  breakfast ;  then  they  were  turned  to  to  go  get  sails 
on  the  vessel. 

As  we  got  to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  the  other  ship  was  dropped 
from  the  tow  as  the  Captain  of  the  tug-boat  did  not  like  to  take 
two  ships  on  the  bar,  fearing  that  one  or  both  might  ground.  My 
ship  being  loaded  wholly  with  cotton,  it  was  pretty  sure  that  slie 
would  go  over  the  bar  without  stopping.  As  the  sailors  saw  that 
we  were  proceeding  right  to  sea,  they  came  aft  in  a  body  and  said 
to  me, 

"You  must  take  this  ship  back  into  the  river.  She  is  too  crank 
and  is  not  sea- worthy,  and  we  will  not  do  any  more  duty  on  board 
of  her."  They  went  off  forward ;  it  not  being  a  proper  time  to 
have  any  trouble  with  them,  I  went  on  board  the  tug-boat  into 
the  wheel-house  and  told  the  Captain  that  my  men  had  refused 
duty.  By  this  time  we  were  over  the  bar,  and  there  was  a  verv 
light  wind  off  the  land.    I  requested  the  Captain  not  to  cast  off 


62 

until  I  had  some  sail  on  the  vessel  and  then  to  let  go  but  one 
rope  at  a  time,  as  I  had  but  myself,  two  mates,  a  cook  and  steward 
to  do  the  work.  He  said  he  would  make  it  as  easy  as  he  could 
for  me.  Mrs.  Webster  took  the  steering-wheel  and  we  set  some  of 
the  small  sails,  jib,  spanker,  and  some  of  the  stay-sails,  enough 
to  force  the  ship  ahead  so  she  would  steer.  Then  they  began  to 
cast  off  the  tow-ropes  one  at  a  time,  and  when  we  had  the  last 
one  in  the  tug-boat  sheered  off  and  left  us.  In  getting  in  these 
big  ropes  I  was  completely  out  of  breath.  I  said  to  the  second 
mate, — 

"Go  and  take  the  wheel  from  Mrs.  Webster." 

I  sat  down  and  rested  perhaps  five  or  ten  minutes  until  I  could 
breathe  all  right,  then  I  said  to  the  chief  mate, 

"Go  and  call  the  men  all  aft." 

They  all  came.    I  said  to  them, 

"You  demanded  of  me  to  fetch  this  ship  to  anchor  and  said 
you  would  not  do  any  more  duty  aboard.  She  is  now  at  sea,  and 
will  go  to  St.  Petersburg  unless  I  run  ashore  or  some  other  ac- 
cident happens.  And  you  have  got  to  work  or  not  eat.  So  go 
forward  and  make  up  your  minds  and  report  in  ten  minutes 
whether  you'll  turn  to  or  not." 

In  less  than  the  stated  time,  two  of  them  came  aft  and  said. 
"We  are  ready  to  go  to  work,  sir." 

I  said  to  chief  mate, — "Turn  these  men  to,  and  get  sail  on 
as  quick  as  possible." 

It  was  done.  We  arrived  at  Cronstadt,  the  discharging  port 
of  St.  Petersburg,  after  a  pleasant  passage.  Everything  was 
pleasant  after  this  for  the  passage.  We  discharged  and  went  to 
the  port  of  Wyborg  in  Finland  to  load  for  Bordeaux  in  France 
with  the  same  crew.  Before  leaving  Wyborg  the  steward  told 
me  that  we  had  only  coffee  enough  for  a  few  days,  and  asked  mo 
to  get  some  chickory  and  peas  and  he  would  make  it  last.  As 
coffee  was  very  high  I  was  glad  to  do  it.  He  burnt  and  ground 
his  chickory  and  peas,  and  added  a  little  to  the  coffee.  So  ha 
continued, — a  little  less  coffee  and  more  chickory  and  peas  till  it 
was  all  chickory  and  peas.  The  men  did  not  know  this.  The 
first  day  in  Bordeaux  I  bought  good  green  coffee,  and  the  cook 
burnt  and  ground  it  and  gave  it  to  the  men  the  next  morning  for 
breakfast.  They  came  aft  to  me  when  they  had  had  their 
breakfast  and  wanted  me  to  taste  of  the  stuff  that  was  given  them 
for  coffee,  and  said  if  they  had  to  drink  that  kind  of  stuff  they 
wanted  a  discharge.  They  were  so  much  dissatisfied,  that  they 
all  but  one  man  ran  away.  The  United  States  law  at  that  time 
was  such  that  I  could  not  discharge  them  without  three  months' 


63 

extra  pay,  so  it  did  not  discommode  me  at  all  for  them  to  leave, 
as  I  had  no  trouble  in  getting  a  full  crew  when  I  wanted  them. 

I  will"  tell  how  I  got  one  man.  There  was  an  American  sailor 
from  another  vessel  ashore  on  liberty,  and  he  got  intoxicated  and 
was  picked  up  by  the  police  guard  and  put  in  prison.  The  vessel 
that  he  belonged  to  sailed  leaving  this  sailor  there ;  the  Captain 
not  choosing  to  pay  his  jail  fee  and  take  him  aboard.  A  short 
time  after  this  vessel  sailed,  I  was  told  of  the  circumstances  and 
made  inquiry  of  the  cost  of  getting  him  out  of  jail.  I  sent  the 
money  by  a  clerk  that  belonged  to  the  house  my  ship  was  con- 
signed to,  and  in  a  short  time  this  sailor  that  I  had  never  seen 
came  into  the  office  and  inquired  for  the  captain  of  the  American 
ship  Pumgustuck.  I  answered  him  and  he  said, 

"You  have  taken  me  oat  of  prison.  I  want  to  go  aboard  of  your 
ship  and  I'll  serve  you  faithfully  for  your  kindness." 

I  said,  "It  would  be  no  use,  you  would  get  drunk  as  soon  as 
you  had  a  chance.^' 

He  said,  "If  youll  let  me  go,  I  promise  not  to  taste  liquor ;  I 
ask  for  no  wages,  only  for  a  chance  to  serve  you  for  your  kindness 
in  taking  me  out  of  prison." 

The  man  seemed  so  sincere  and  so  much  in  earnest,  that  I 
took  him  on  board,  and  found  him  an  excellent  sailor  and  a  good 
sail-maker,  a  very  useful  man  in  repairing  sails  and  in  any  other 
work  of  a  seaman.  When  we  were  loaded  with  a  cargo  of  wine 
we  sailed  for  New  Orleans  with  some  sixty  passengers. 

After  we  were  clear  of  the  land  and  down  into  the  northeast 
trades  with  pleasant  weather,  everything  going  along  peaceably 
and  pleasant,  my  sister  who  was  with  us  and  another  girl  that 
roomed  wath  her  thought  they  could  have  a  great  deal  of  fun  by 
having  I^^eptune  come  on  board.  It  would  be  something  that 
those  passengers  knew  nothing  about.  They  asked  my  consent 
which  I  gave.  I  told  them  the  best  man  they  could  get  for  old 
Neptune  would  be  this  sailor  that  I  took  out  of  prison,  and  they 
might  talk  with  him.  They  did  so.  He  refused  to  comply  with 
their  wishes.  They  told  me,  and  I  sent  for  him  and  had  him 
come  aft.  I  asked  him  why  he  didn't  consent  to  act  the  part  of 
old  Neptune.  He  replied,  "Sir,  it  never  will  do.  I  promised  if 
you  would  take  me  on  board  of  your  ship  I  would  not  get  intoxi- 
cated, and  if  I  consent  I  know  I  shall  get  drunk." 

I  told  him  I  couldn't  understand  that  for  they  were  to  have 
no  liquor.  After  some  talk  he  said  he  would  consent  if  I  wouldn't 
get  angry  with  him.  So  it  was  arranged  for  a  certain  night. 
Along  in  the  evening,  it  was  very  pleasant  with  a  side  wind,  ship 
listed  down  a  little,  passengers  all  on  deck,  w^hen  some  one  prob- 


64 

ably  a  sailor  that  understood  what  was  going  on  ran  to  the  lee 
side  of  the  vessel  and  sang  out,  "0  see  what  a  whale !" 

The  passengers  all  ran  to  the  lee  side  to  see  this  whale  and 
just  at  this  time  the  sailor  who  represented  Neptune  came  over 
the  bow  dripping  wet  and  sings  out  with  a  speaking  trumpet, — 
"Ship  ahoy !    I  want  to  see  the  master !" 

By  this  time  the  passengers  heard  it  and  as  it  was  a  bright 
moonlight  night  they  could  see  him  well,  rigged  up  as  he  was 
looking  like  nothing  human,  ropeyarns  for  a  beard  two  feet  long 
and  other  disguises  so  he  walked  along  the  weather  side  of  the 
deck,  water  dripping  from  him,  passengers  staring  and  won- 
dering. 

He  came  to  me — "Are  you  Captain  of  this  ship?" 

"Yes." 

"Well  I  see  you  have  a  great  many  here  that  have  never  crossed 
the  line,  and  it  is  my  custom  that  they  must  be  shaved.  So  I 
will  begin  with  some  of  the  men  first." 

I  don't  know  as  he  shaved  any  one,  but  he  had  all  the  fixings, 
his  lather,  and  I  think  a  piece  of  iron  hoop  for  a  razor.  They 
begged  to  be  let  off.    He  said, — 

"Only  on  one  condition  can  you  escape  being  shaved.  Give  me 
a  bottle  of  wine." 

As  these  passengers  had  wine  every  day  with  their  meals,  they 
were  very  glad  to  compromise  with  him  and  get  clear.  How 
much  they  gave  him  I  don't  know,  but  this  I  know,  he  was  well 
drunk.  I  couldn't  say  a  word  for  I  had  promised  not  to  be 
angry.  He  soon  got  over  it  and  was  himself  again.  He  stayed 
by  the  vessel  until  she  was  well  made  fast  and  the  watchman  on 
board;  then  he  said, 

"Captain,  I  must  leave.  I  promised  that  I  would  serve  you 
faithfully  and  wouldn't  get  drunk.  If  I  stay  here  I  know  I  shall 
break  my  promise." 

The  next  day  I  paid  him  off  with  just  the  same  money  the 
other  sailors  had. 

While  at  Wyborg  in  Finland  I  and  my  wife  were  away  from 
the  vessel,  and  the  second  mate  had  some  trouble  with  one  of 
the  men,  and  struck  him  with  a  piece  of  board  which  gave  him 
a  mark  he  would  carry  as  long  as  he  lived.  As  I  have  stated,  the 
men  all  deserted  in  Bordeaux  with  the  exception  of  one.  This 
man  did  not  leave,  and  I  learned  through  the  steward  that  he 
was  bound  to  stick  by  the  vessel.  Before  leaving,  I  wrote  to  my 
shipping  master  in  New  Orleans  to  engage  a  lawyer,  as  I  sus- 
pected there  would  be  trouble  between  one  of  the  sailors  and  the 
mates.    The  ship-master  did  as  I  requested.    When  I  towed  into 


65 

the  mouth  of  the  river,  a  boat  came  off  and  brought  a  letter  from 
the  lawyer  stating, — "Detain  the  ship  below,  and  let  the  mates 
come  up  the  day  before  you  come,  so  that  they  cannot  be  found  to 
be  arrested."  I  showed  the  letter  to  the  Captain  of  the  tug-boat 
and  told  him  what  I  feared.  He  said,  "I'll  get  those  men  out  of 
the  ship  for  you  and  they  shall  not  be  caught.  To-night,  when 
everything  is  still  and  dark,  let  both  the  mates  take  all  their  be- 
longings and  pass  it  out  on  boaid  the  boat.  Be  sure  it  is  passed 
out  from  the  after  part  of  the  ship,  so  if  there  is  a  man  forward 
he  shan't  see  it.  And  when  you  arrive  at  the  levee,  probably 
there  will  be  a  sheriff  there,  but  he  will  have  to  get  these  men's 
names  on  the  writ,  and  then  there  will  be  a  general  rush  on  board 
the  ship, — stevedores,  sailor  landlords,  tailors,  and  others,  solic- 
iting business.  You  be  sure  that  you  get  us  a  good  strong  bow 
hawser  out  forward— enough  to  hold  the  ship.  At  the  time  when 
all  those  people  are  rushing  on  board,  let  the  two  mates  come  on 
board  my  boat  from  the  aft  part  of  the  ship.  The  after  house 
will  keep  them  out  of  sight  of  those  forward  and  as  soon  as  they 
are  on  board  I  will  let  go  all  ropes  from  the  ship  and  sheer  of .'^ 

It  was  done  just  as  he  planned  it.  Mr.  Dennison  from  Free- 
port  had  done  the  discharging  and  loading  my  vessels  in  ISTew 
Orleans  a  number  of  times,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  come  on 
board.    I  said, — 

"Can  you  raise  some  men  very  quickly  and  make  this  ship 
fast  ?    My  mates  are  gone,  and  I  want  to  go  immediately.^' 

He  went  for  men,  but  3'Ou  ought  to  see  the  stirprise  when  the 
sheriff  and  the  sailors  and  the  landlords  came  out  of  the  fore- 
castle,— the  sailors  intending  to  point  out  the  mates  to  the 
sheriff.  But  thev  were  not  to  be  found.  I  told  the  steward  that 
I  was  going  and  there  would  be  a  man  down  with  some  men  to 
make  the  ship  fast,  and  for  him  to  assist  all  he  could.  The  ship- 
ping-master being  there,  I  left  with  him  to  see  the  lawyer.  Went 
to  his  office,  and  as  soon  as  the  ceremony  of  being  introduced  to 
him  was  over,  the  lawyer  said,  "I  have  got  the  wrong  side.  It  is 
the  sailors'  side  I  generallv  take." 

I  replied  that  I  was  aware  of  that,  and  that  was  why  I  wrote 
from  France  to  retain  him. 

There  was  nothing  to  be  done  till  the  men  were  found.  It 
went  on  for  about  three  davs,  and  the  train  that  left  for  Mobile 
was  watched,  and  a  notice  pasted  up  in  different  places  "$100 
reward  for  information  with  regard  to  the  whereabouts  of  these 


men." 


I  think  four  days  went  by  when  the  lawyer  sent  for  me.    "Look 
here,  if  you  don't  settle  this  case,  thev  are  going  to  arrest  vou.    I 


66 

have  been  keeping  them  back  for  two  days,  and  I  don't  think  I 
can  any  longer ;  for  all  those  men  will  swear  under  oath  that  yon 
were  present  and  urging  the  second  mate  on/'  The  fact  was  I 
was  not  within  miles  of  the  vessel,  and  when  I  returned  at  night, 
I  fixed  up  the  man  the  best  way  I  could,  and  got  him  into  the 
hospital  that  night.  I  had  all  done  for  him  that  could  be  done. 
The  lawyer  told  how  small  a  sum  the  affair  could  be  compromised 
for,  clearing  the  men,  if  found,  and  myself.  That  day  the  com- 
promise was  made,  and  I  felt  relieved. 

After  discharging  I  loaded  for  N'ew  York.  As  is  customary, 
all  ships  going  down  that  lay  well  up  town  are  towed  down  to  the 
lower  part  of  the  city  to  make  up  their  tow  before  dark.  I  saw 
the  shipping-master  on  charge  in  the  forenoon;  he  said,  "It  is 
not  worth  while  for  you  to  come  down  till  you  come  down  in  the 
ship  for  I  have  all  your  men  shipped  and  can  puf  them  on  board 
at  very  short  notice." 

When  I  got  down  in  the  ship  it  was  about  dark.  We  made 
fast  to  the  other  ship  that  was  going  down  with  us.  Hearing 
nothing  from  the  shipping-master  as  I  expected  as  soon  as  I  got 
down,  I  went  to  his  office,  a  short  distance,  and  found  him  there, 
looking  sad. 

He  said,  "I  don't  know  what's  up,  but  every  man  I  had  shipped 
for  you  has  backed  out,  and  I  have  shipped  others  and  they  soon 
come  back  and  say  they  won't  go.  I  am  afraid  I  can't  get  you 
a  crew  to-night." 

I  went  from  the  ship  to  the  shij)ping-office  a  number  of  times. 
It  grew  late,  and  the  tug-boat  Captain  was  anxious  to  start.  I 
prevailed  on  him  to  wait  a  short  time  longer  till  I  went  to  the 
shipping-office  again  to  see  if  there  were  any  prospect,  but  a  very 
short  distance  before  I  got  to  the  office,  I  passed  this  sailor  that 
had  the  scar  from  the  second  mate  in  Wyborg,  standing  on  the 
sidewalk.  Just  as  I  reached  the  shipping-office  door,  a  sailor 
came  out.  I  turned  to  look  at  him  and  saw  him  stop  and  talk  with 
the  sailor  with  the  broken  nose.  As  I  went  into  the  office,  the 
shipping-master  said 

"It's  no  use,  I  can't  get  you  a  crew  for  to-night.  If  I  get  a 
man  and  he  ships  he  returns  in  a  very  few  minutes  and  says  he 
caji't  go.  There's  one  just  come  in  that  I  had  shipped  and  said 
he  couldn't  go."  I  said,  "I  have  found  out  the  reason.  That 
sailor  with  whom  we  had  the  trouble  in  Wyborg  is  on  the  watch 
and  stops  every  one  that  comes  out." 

The  shipping-master  said,  "I'll  fix  him,"  and  he  left  me. 

He  returned  with  one  man.  As  he  and  I  stopped  at  the  door, 
he  advanced  to  the  sailor  who  was  causing  all  the  others  to  back 


67 

out  and  hit  him  a  slajD.  Two  or  three  others  concealed  close  by 
rushed  out  and  sang  out, — "A  row !  a  row  !" 

Two  policemen  were  concealed  close  by  so  arranged  by  the 
shipping-master,  and  rushed  out,  grabbed  this  sailor,  one  each 
side,  and  walked  him  off  to  the  calaboose.  Strange  to  say,  in 
less  than  an  hour  and  a  half  my  vesselleft  with  a  full  crew. 

As  both  of  my  mates  had  left,  I  was  in  want  of  a  chief  mate 
at  once.  One  afternoon,  quite  a  nice  looking  man  came  down  and 
inquired  for  the  Captain,  and  told  me  he  had  heard  I  wanted 
a  chief  officer.  I  asked  him  finally  if  he  had  any  recommenda- 
tions from  his  last  vessel.  He  held  out  his  two  hands — "There 
are  all  the  recommendations  I  have,  sir.  I  have  just  been  turned 
ashore  from  the  ship  I  came  in  in."  He  told  me  the  reasons.  1 
didn^t  think  any  the  less  of  him  after  hearing  them.  He  proved 
to  be  an  A  1  man  in  every  respect.  I  shall  have  more  to  say 
about  him  later. 


/ 


CHAPTEE  XI. 

IN    THE    ICE. 

We  had  a  very  quick  passage  to  the  Highlands,  near  Sandy 
Hook.  We  went  in  past  the  Hook  with  a  light  wind  from  the 
southwest,  and  got  up  perhaps  half  the  way  to  the  Narrows. 
There  the  wind  died  away  about  calm  and  we  anchored.  As  the 
ebb-tide  made,  the  pilot  told  me  he  feared  it  would  bring  the  ice 
down.  I  said,  "Then  why  not  get  the  anchor  and  let  her  drift 
out  with  the  tide  ?" 

"0,  we  can't  do  that,  for  the  ebb-tide  would  take  her  right  on 
the  east  bank.  We  have  got  to  hold  her  if  we  can.'^  The' ice 
came  down  in  a  body.  Although  we  lay  with  a  very  long  scope  of 
chain  out,  the  ice  came  down  against  the  chain,  and  pressed  it 
so  hard  it  seemed  as  if  the  chain  would  be  right  up  and  down. 
Then  the  ice  would  crack  and  the  chain  would  fly  up  out  of  water, 
beyond  the  jib-boom  end.  But  in  less  than  an  hour  the  chain 
parted  and  the  ship  went  ashore  on  the  east  bank. 

We  had  noticed  a  tug-boat  trying  to  get  through  the  ice  to  us. 
Coming  on  dark,  he  gave  it  up.  The  ship  lay  heel  down  till  her 
bilge  lay  on  the  bottom.  When  the  tide  turned  it  brought  the 
pressure  on  the  other  side,  and  righted  her  up  and  she  went  off 
the  bank  when  there  was  not  enough  water  to  float  her  by  two 
feet. 

The  next  ebb-tide  she  went  ashore  again.  As  we  could  do 
nothing  with  her,  the  ship  was  wholly  at  the  mercy  of  the  ice.  At 
times  we  could  see  no  water  inside  Sandy  Hook,  just  one  glare  of 
ice.  One  small  single  decked  vessel  went  ashore  about  the  time 
we  did  the  first  time  and  shortly  before  dark  the  crew  all  left  her 
and  started  to  walk  ashore  to  Long  Island. 

The  second  time  we  went  ashore,  the  stern  took  on  the  bottom 
first  and  we  swung  around,  broadside  to  the  ice.  I  had  my  fears 
that  the  ice  would  keep  shelving  up  as  it  struck  the  vessel's  side 
piling  up  beside  her,  and  I  feared  it  would  pile  up  so  as  to  run 
over  her.  Along  in  the  night,  while  it  was  bitterly  cold,  ther- 
mometer below  zero,  I  said  to  the  pilot, — 

"Don't  you  think  we  better  put  two  boats  over  the  side  and 
hang  them  by  yard  tackles  ?  So  if  the  ice  does  pile  up  alongside 
we  can  get  into  the  boats,  lower  them  on  the  ice,  and  escape  from 
the  ship." 


69 

He  answered  that  it  would  do  no  harm. 

We  put  them  over  and  let  them  hang  by  tackles  so  we  could 
lower  them  very  quickly  on  the  ice. 

I  told  my  wife  and  sister  what  I  feared  we  might  have  to  do, 
and  for  them  to  get  ready  and  put  on  all  the  clothes  they  could. 
I  was  on  deck  most  of  the  time,  watching  the  ice,  and  at  one  time 
it  got  up  so  high  it  seemed  within  three  or  four  feet  of  the  deck. 
I  went  into  the  cabin  to  take  them  out  and  they  were  all  ready. 
My  wife,  sister,  pilot  and  little  boy  George,  perhaps  five  years 
old.  There  was  a  good  fire,  cabin  warm,  and  they  were  all  sitting 
on  the  floor,  the  ship  was  so  much  heeled  down.  As  I  opened  the 
door,  they  all  looked  so  comfortable  I  thought  I  would  go  out  and 
look  again  before  taking  them,  and  I  saw  the  whole  body  of  ice 
moving  a  little.  I  watched  it  and  it  gradually  moved  faster  till 
it  went  round  the  stern  of  the  ship.  As  there  was  no  pressure  she 
righted  up  at  once. 

I  wish  to  state  here  that  this  boy  George  was  given  to  my  wife 
by  her  widowed  sister  when  he  was  about  three  years  old;  she 
having  three  children,  and  very  limited  means  of  support. 

This  night  when  they  were  getting  ready  to  leave  the  ship  and 
getting  on  warm  clothing,  George  picked  up  most  of  his  toy 
playthings  and  said  he  wasn't  going  away  and  leave  them.  More 
about  him  later. 

When  the  flood-tide  came  it  took  the  ship  off  the  bottom  again, 
but  she  was  still  at  the  mercy  of  the  ice.  As  soon  as  it  was  day- 
light we  saw  the  steam  tug-boat  still  trying  to  break  a  way 
through  the  ice  to  get  to  iis.  He  succeeded  in  doing  it  about  ten 
A.  M.  As  we  found  he  was  nearing  us  we  got  our  hawsers  all 
ready  tb  make  fast  to  him  and  as  he  got  near  he  hollered,  "I  won't 
take  your  hawser  less  than  five  thousand  dollars.'' 

I  replied,  "Get  your  boat  alongside  so  I  can  talk  with  you." 

He  did  this,  and  I  went  on  board  and  up  into  the  wheel-house 
where  he  was.  I  said  to  him,  "You  can't  mean  five  thousand,  you 
mean  five  hundred  dollars." 

"I  mean  five  thousand  dollars.  I  have  a  chance  to  make  money 
and  I  am  going  to  do  it,  and  you  have  got  to  sign  this  before  I 
will  allow  your  hawser  to  be  made  fast." 

It  was  a  bill  for  five  thousand  dollars.  It  being  a  case  of  life 
and  death  with  us,  I  signed  the  bill.  He  did  not  know  that  he 
was  bound  and  that  I  was  not;  for  a  man  that  is  in  danger  of 
his  life  can  sign  any  agreement  to  save  his  life,  and  when  saved 
the  agreement  is  of  no  account.  We  reached  Staten  Island,  by 
getting  in  near  the  shore  where  tlie  ice  was  not  so  thick.  In  the 
afternoon  the  ice  cleared  out  enough  so  we  reached  the  dock  in 


70 

New  York.  The  next  morning,  the  man  to  whom  I  consigned  the 
ship,  James  Nesmith,  and  I  went  to  the  Atlantic  Insurance  Co., 
the  biggest  insurance  company  in  N'ew  York.  They  had  $15,000 
insured  on  the  cargo.  I  stated  the  whole  case  to  Mr.  Jones,  presi- 
dent of  the  company.    He  replied, 

"Captain,  that's  a  good  deal  of  money." 

I  said  I  knew  it. 

He  said^  "You  are  not  holden  to  that  agreement.  We  will  take 
time  to  consider  i  t  before  we  pay." 

As  the  bill  was  not  paid  that  clay  the  steamboat  agent  left  the 
bill  with  a  lawyer.  I  was  notified  that  if  the  bill  was  not  paid 
that  day  the  ship  would  be  libelled.  I  immediately  went  and 
handed  the  letter  to  the  President  of  the  Company.  He  read  it 
and  said,  "You  go  across  the  street  to  a  certain  office  and  ask 
Mr.  Benedict,  the  lawyer,  to  come  over  here." 

I  did  so,  and  the  lawyer  returned  with  me.    Mr.  Jones  said, 

"Why  are  you  hurrying  this  thing  up  in  this  way  ?" 

He  replied,  "I  want  you  to  say  whether  you  will  pay  this  bill 
or  you  will  not.  If  you  say  you  won't  pay  it,  Avhich  I  hope  you 
will,  then  I  shall  know  what  to  do." 

The  President  said  he  would  let  him  know  the  next  morning, 
and  he  left.  Then  the  President  said,  "I  want  you  to  be  here 
at  2  P.  M." 

I  was  there  at  the  time  and  he  and  I  got  into  a  coach  and  were 
driven  to  Lawyer  Lord's  office,  he  being  considered  one  of  the 
best,  or  the  best  lawyer  in  New  York.  I  was  introduced  to  him, 
and  the  President  told  me  to  state  the  case  to  him  just  as  it  was. 
I  repeated  what  I  had  told  him  the  day  before.  The  lawyer  asked 
what  the  cargo  consisted  of. 

"Pork  and  lard  in  the  lower  hold,  cotton  between  decks." 

He  asked  how  many  bales  of  cotton,  how  much  pork,  and  how 
much  lard.  He  then  said,  "Mr.  Jones,  pay  that  bill  by  all  means. 
If  you  don't,  and  he  libels  the  ship  and  cargo,  he'll  get  $27,000 
or  more,  and  then  he'll  put  on  another  claim  for  life  salvage,  and 
the  court  will  award  him  a  large  amount  for  that." 

We  left,  and  I  was  well  pleased  and  felt  justified  in  making  the 
agreement  of  $5000.    The  next  day  the  bill  was  paid.  * 

The  consignees  of  the  cargo  signed  an  average  bond  to  pay 
their  proportional  part  of  everything  that  came  under  a  general 
average  which  was  the  steamboat  bill  and  all  damage  to  the  ship. 
We  discharged  ship,  put  her  into  dry  dock,  and  she  was  examined 
by  surveyors  and  an  estimate  made  of  the  cost  of  repairing  her, 
everything  complete.    Then  I  had  an  estimate  of  all  calking  and 


71 

painting  and  sent  them  to  Boston,  as  the  ship  was  wholly  insured 
in  Boston,  stating, — 

"I  enclose  these  estimates  to  you,  thinking  you  might  wish  to 
send  an  agent  here  to  look  after  her.  If  you  do,  I  am  ready  to 
make  a  compromise,  if  your  agent  comes  with  power  from  3'ou  to 
do  the  same." 

I  went  on,  recalked  the  bottom,  bored  out  a  good  many  tunnels 
that  were  started,  and  metalled  the  ship,  as  she  had  never  been 
metalled  before  and  was  but  little  over  a  year  old.  We  floated 
her  and  she  was  laying  at  the  dock  one  very  pleasant  but  cold 
morning  when  a  man  walked  down  the  wharf  and  said,  "Are 
you  Captain  of  this  ship  ?" 

I  replied,  "I  am.'^ 

"I  am  sent  on  as  agent  of  the  Boston  Insurance  Co.  where  your 
ship  is  insured." 

When  he  told  me  this,  we  shook  hands,  and  I  said,  "I  am  glad 
to  see  you  here,  sir." 

There  were  from  forty  to  fifty  men  at  work  on  the  ship  then. 
He  said,  "What  are  you  cutting  out  that  plank  for?  There  is 
nothing  the  matter  with  it." 

"The  forward  part  of  this  plank  for  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  was 
cut  badly  by  the  ice  and  I  choose  to  take  the  whole  plank  out; 
for  it  is  much  better  to  have  one  long  plank  than  two  short  ones, 
and  I  intend  to  have  this  ship  as  good  as  she  was  before." 

He  said,  "If  there  is  a  fire  in  the  cabin,  let's  go  in  out  of  the 
cold."  We  went  in  and  he  was  introduced  to  my  wife,  and  he 
took  out  quite  a  package  of  papers,  and  said,  "I  have  all  your 
estimates  here.    They  are  very  high." 

I  replied,  "Perhaps  they  are,  but  I  had  them  from  men  that 
would  do  the  work  for  the  amount  specified." 

He  said,  "You  mentioned  in  your  letter  that  you  were  ready 
to  compromise.    How  much  will  you  compromise  for  ?" 

I  told  him  the  amount. 

"0,  we  can't  give  you  that." 

"Well,  then  I'll  go  on  and  repair  her." 

He  told  me  he  didn't  think  I'd  get  an  average,  and  if  I  did 
not,  then  we  would  have  to  pay  all  the  expenses  ourselves.  I 
replied  that  I  knew  that,  but  that  I  had  figured  it  all  out  and  I 
was  sure  I  should  get  an  average. 

He  said,  "No  use  for  me  to  remain  here  and  I  shall  return  to- 
night, but  I  will  give  vou  so  much,"  stating  the  amount. 

I  replied  that  I  should  not  take  it.  He  said,  "Will  you  think  it 
over  and  be  at  Mr.  N'esmith's  office  at  3  o'clock  this  afternoon  ?" 


72 

When  I  went  there,  he  was  waiting  for  me,  and  asked  if  I  had 
thought  it  over,  and  decided  to  take  his  offer. 

I  answered,  "I  should  not  take  your  offer.  But  it  would  save 
a  great  deal  of  trouble  and  time  to  compromise  as  I  should  have 
to  wait  till  the  work  was  all  done  and  then  get  the  bills  in  to 
ascertain  the  claim  1  should  have  on  the  underwriters,  and  I  had 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  I  would  take  $500  from  my  offer  to 
you,  and  if  you  accept  I  am  to  have  the  money  at  once." 

There  was  considerable  talk  between  us  and  as  it  drew  near  the 
time  that  he  wanted  to  leave  and  he  being  satisfied,  I  suppose, 
that  he  couldn't  move  me  from  my  offer,  said,  "Well,  I  will  close 
with  you.'' 

A  memorandum  of  this  agreement  was  written  off  at  once, 
signed  by  both  and  we  separated,  he  for  Boston  and  I  for  my  ship. 
I  saw  the  shipwright  at  once  and  said,  "I  have  compromised  and 
have  the  ship  on  my  own  hands.  I  only  want  about  half  the 
number  of  men  to-morrow  morning.  Will  you  go  with  me  and 
let  me  select  the  men  I  want  ?" 

He  assented.  As  these  men  were  all  working  on  the  stages 
around  the  ship  I  pointed  out  the  men  I  wanted,  without  their 
knowing  it,  and  he  said,  "You  have  selected  all  my  best  men." 

"I  intended  to.  Can  you  send  the  men  I  have  selected  here 
to-morrow  morning  ?"    '^^Yes." 

I'll  state  here  that  this  shipwright,  Mr.  Pullion,  had  done 
work  for  me  for  over  nine  years,  and  continued  to  up  to  his  death 
which  made  over  forty  years  that  he  had  done  my  ship  work  in 
New  York,  and  part  of  the  time  on  nine  different  vessels. 

I  went  on  repairing  my  vessel.  Before  she  was  done  the  money 
was  sent  me  from  the  underwriters  in  Boston,  and  it  was  enough 
to  pay  all  bills  for  everything  done  on  the  ship,  including  new 
metalling,  and  there  was  a  small  amount  left. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

SAIL   FOR   HAVANA. 

I  loaded  for  Havana,  and  arrived  after  a  pleasant  passage, 
where  I  chartered  and  loaded  for  Hamburg.  My  men  all  stayed 
by,  the  ship  was  loaded,  sails  bent  and  she  got  ready  for  sea. 
Next  morning  I  had  no  crew ;  all  had  deserted.  I  feared  I  would 
be  put  to  much  trouble  to  get  a  crew  as  there  was  a  scarcity  of 
sailors  in  Havana,  and  I  knew  of  a  bark  that  had  had  much 
trouble  with  the  crew,  and  they  were  all  discharged  before  the 
U.  S.  Consul.  I  went  to  see  the  Captain  of  this  vessel  at  once 
and  asked  if  he  was  all  clear  of  those  men,  and  he  answered 
"Yes." 

"My  men  all  deserted  last  night  and  I  want  a  full  crew.  I 
would  not  try  to  get  the  men  that  you  had  without  seeing  you." 

He  answered,  "I  have  nothing  to  do  with  them;  it  makes  no 
difference  to  me  where  they  go.'' 

I  said,  "In  all  cases  of  trouble  with  sailors  on  ship-board  there 
are  one  or  two  that  are  the  leaders  and  cause  of  the  trouble.  Was 
it  so  in  this  case  ?" 

"Yes,  there  are  two  I  advice  you  not  to  take." 

"Please  give  me  their  names.'' 

He  did  so  and  I  bade  him  good  morning  thanking  him  for  the 
information. 

I  went  immediately  to  the  shipping-master  and  asked  if  he 
could  get  me  the  crew  that  had  left  the  bark  of  which  I  have 
been  speaking.  He  answered  that  he  could,  and  I  gave  him  the 
names  of  the  two  I  did  not  want.  He  thought  he  could  raise  up 
some  more  so  as  to  make  me  a  full  crew,  so  I  could  leave  the  next 
morning.  I  went  on  board  my  own  ship,  returned  after  dinner 
to  the  shipping-office.  The  shipping-master  told  me  that  those 
men  would  not  ship  unless  I  took  them  all,  and  he  did  not  know 
of  any  other  men  he  could  get.  I  told  him  to  wait  an  hour  and  I 
went  immediately  on  board  my  ship,  told  the  mate  the  situation, 
and  he  replied,  "0  I  would  take  them  all;  we  can  take  care  of 
them." 

This  mate  is  the  one  I  shipped  in  New  Orleans,  and  who,  when 
I  asked  him  for  a  reference,  held  out  his  two  hands  and  said, — 
"This  is  all  the  reference  I  can  give  you." 


74 

I  then  went  on  shore,  and  had  that  whole  crew  shipped  and  we 
left  the  next  morning  two  men  short.  We  had  a  pleasant  pas- 
sage, and  arrived  in  the  Elbe.  There  is  a  shoal  place  in  the  river 
and  the  pilot  said  that  if  we  didn't  lighten  the  ship  enough  to 
get  over  it  the  next  day  that  we  should  have  to  lay  over  till  the 
next  high  run  of  tides.  I  went  to  Hamburg  and  got  two  large 
lighters  and  got  them  down  to  the  vessel  late  in  the  afternoon.  I 
commenced  at  once  discharging  boxes  of  sugar  into  the  lighters. 
We  worked  till  six  o'clock,  and  got  supper;  then  turned  to  at 
seven,  discharging  sugar.  At  midnight  had  a  good  warm  supper. 
After  an  hour's  rest,  we  commenced  work  again. 

About  4  o'clock  A.  M.  the  lighters  were  loaded  and  the  'tween 
decks  more  than  half  empty.  The  men  had  coffee  and  a  lunch 
and  then  got  the  ship  under  way  so  that  we  arrived  at  Hamburg 
about  7  P.  M.  There  were  no  tug-boats  there  then.  After  we 
had  breakfast  I  went  on  shore  takinoj  mv  wife  and  left  her  at  the 
hotel,  then  attended  to  my  business, — entering  the  ship  and 
making  arrangements  for  discharging.  I  went  on  board  in  the 
afternoon.  There  was  not  one  of  the  men  there  that  we  shipped 
in  Cuba.  I  have  never  seen  or  heard  of  one  of  them  since.  While 
they  were  on  board  my  ship  they  were  peaceable  and  performed 
their  duty  without  giving  any  trouble. 

Here  after  discharging,  I  loaded  the  lower  hold  with  a  cargo 
for  New  York  and  took  a  full  complement  of  passengers  between 
decks — between  four  and  five  hundred. 

About  the  time  the  Cuba  cargo  was  discharged  this  mate  that 
had  said  he  had  only  hands  to  recommend  him  told  me  he  must 
leave.  I  saw  that  he  looked  very  sad.  I  had  not  a  thought  but 
that  he  was  well  pleased  with  the  situation  and  I  was  well  pleased 
with  him;  so  I  thought  it  very  strange  that  he  should  say  that 
he  must  leave,  and  I  told  him  so.  He  said,  "I'll  tell  you  my 
reasons.  I  am  engaged  to  be  married  to  a  girl  in  London ;  I  have 
been  saving  my  money  and  sending  it  to  her,  so  that  when  the 
time  came  to  be  married  we  should  have  something  to  start  in 
life  with.  I  have  received  a  letter  from  a  friend  in  London 
stating  that  she  is  married.  I  must  go  and  see  if  I  can't  get  my 
money  or  some  of  it  back.  But  I'll  stay  with  you  till  the  ship  is 
loaded  and  leaves,  if  you  wish." 

I  didn't  see  him  for  about  four  years,  then  it  was  in  N'ew  York 
and  he  was  master  of  one  of  the  packet-ships ;  there  were  no 
steamers  crossing  the  Atlantic  in  those  days.  He  was  a  smart 
capable  man  and  a  first  rate  disciplinarian.  There  never  was 
trouble  with  crew  while  he  was  with  me. 


75 

About  fifteen  or  twenty  days  after  I  left  Hamburg  for  New 
York,  a  child,  one  of  the  passengers,  was  taken  sick  with  the 
diphtheria.  All  was  done  in  our  power,  but  he  died  and  was 
buried  at  sea.  The  ship  hove  to,  the  bell  was  tolled  and  funeral 
services  were  read.  Then  the  deceased,  sewed  up  in  canvas  with 
heavy  weight  at  his  feet,  was  launched  into  the  sea.  Others  were 
taken  sick,  and  nine  in  all  died,  and  were  buried  at  sea.  In  the 
sickness  of  these  children  mv  wife  was  often  between  decks  with 
them,  trying  to  do  something  to  relieve  their  suffering.  In  fact  I 
think  she  did  as  much  or  more  than  their  own  mothers.  I  think 
it  was  about  fifteen  days  before  we  arrived  in  N'ew  York  that  all 
the  sickness  on  board  was  ended.  Some  five  days  before  we  ar- 
rived I  told  the  passengers  through  an  interpreter,  that  probably 
we  should  be  quarantined  thirty  days  on  account  of  our  sickness. 
But  that  if  we  could  have  everything  clean  and  the  'tween  decks 
looking  neat  there  was  a  possibility  that  we  should  not  be  quar- 
antined. Every  pains  possible  was  taken  to  clean  up  and  have 
the  'tween  decks  looking  neat  and  smelling  sweet.  When  we 
arrived  at  quarantine  a  doctor  came  on  board.  I  gave  him  a 
report  of  everything  as  it  was,  number  of  deaths  and  dates.  He 
went  down,  looked  where  the  passengers  were  and  'tween  decks 
and  said,  "I  shall  give  you  a  permit  to  go  up.  Your  ship  is  the 
neatest  and  cleanest  that  has  arrived  this  season."  That  after- 
noon we  got  clear  of  all  the  passengers,  most  of  whom  went  to 
the  far  West. 

This  passage  was  a  very  hard  and  unpleasant  one  for  me.  My 
mate,  that  I  got  in  Hamburg,  was  of  very  little  use  to  me;  the 
second  mate,  a  youngster  from  Portland,  never  had  been  to  sea 
with  any  One  but  me  and  I  had  put  him  forward  perhaps  faster 
than  I  ought  to.  He  had  a  great  deal  of  "ugly"  in  him  when  he 
got  started,  and  he  hectored  and  annoyed  the  chief  mate  in  every 
way  possible.  The  chief  mate  was  not  man  enough  to  stand  up 
and  assume  authority  over  him.    I  state  a  circumstance. 

One  afternoon,  while  sailing  under  double  reef  topsails, — this 
was  in  the  days  before  double  topsails, — we  split  the  foretopsail. 
We  got  it  down,  took  it  into  the  forward  cabin.  As  I  always  took 
charge  myself  of  all  repairing  of  sails,  and  generally  had  one 
man  especially  qualified  for  the  work,  he  and  I  went  to  work  on 
this  topsail.  There  was  not  room  for  any  more  to  work  to  advan- 
tage. Mrs.  Webster  threaded  the  needles,  waxed  the  twine,  and 
kept  needles  threaded  for  us  so  there  was  no  delay.  About  two 
o'clock  A.  M.  this  sail  was  done  and  sent  aloft.  I  did  not  dare  to 
trust  either  one  of  the  mates,  for  fear  lest  their  inexperience 


76 

might  lose  the  sail^  so  went  aloft  myself  with  the  men,  and  the 
sail  was  soon  bent  and  set  double  reefed.  I  could  judge,  if  no 
other  way,  by  the  tremble  of  the  ship  when  she  had  all  the  canvas 
she  ought  to  bear.  That  forenoon  I  saw  a  ship  quite  near  us 
running  under  a  close  reefed  maintopsail  and  reefed  foresail. 
We  carried  three  close  reefed  topsails  and  reefed  courser. 

After  this  ship  was  discharged  and  loaded  outward,  I  put  my 
wife's  brother,  Darius  Pratt,  in  command,  a  smart  capable  man 
in  every  respect. 


CHAPTEE  XIII. 

BUILDING    THE    SHIP    HELIOS,    AND    HER    STARTING.       LOSS  OF 

THREE    VESSELS    AT    SEA. 

I  went  home  and  began  building  another  ship.  Mr.  Baker  and 
I  were  the  sole  owners  just  as  in  the  case  of  the  two  last. 

Business  was  good  in  those  days.  The  ship  that  I  had  left  got 
four  pounds  fifteen  shillings  a  ton  freight  from  Havana  to  St. 
Petersburg.  The  bark  of  which  I  owned  nine-sixteenths,  and 
of  which  I  had  put  my  mate  in  command,  got  the  same  Reason 
five  pounds  for  St.  Petersburg.  I  wrote  my  brother-in-law  in 
England  that  if  he  reached  New  York  by  a  certain  time  he  could 
have  command  of  the  new  ship.  I  wrote  the  Captain  of  the  bark 
that  if  he  reached  New  York  by  a  certain  time  that  he  could  have 
the  command  of  the  ship  that  Capt.  Pratt  was  going  to  leave. 
Capt.  Pratt  had  got  as  far  west  as  45  longtitude,  the  wind  blow- 
ing heavy  and  the  ship  under  double  reefed  topsails.  She  was 
being  driven  into  a  head  sea,  and  being  loaded  with  iron,  she 
started  leaking.  There  was  so  much  water  in  her  that  they  were 
satisfied  that  she  would  sink  soon.  A  shij^  came  along  and 
rescued  them  with  great  difficulty,  and  they  were  all  carried  back 
to  Liverpool. 

The  bark  that  I  have  spoken  of  got  along  within  about  two  de- 
grees of  where  the  ship  was  when  she  was  abandoned.  She  was 
carrying  a^  heavy  press  of  canvas  when  perhaps  she  ought  to  have 
been  under  much  shorter  canvas.  She  shipped  a  heavy  sea, 
opened  her  lee-water-ways  and  sprung  a  leak,  so  that  the  crew  were 
taken  off  from  her  in  less  than  twenty-four  hours,  and  brought 
to  New  York  and  landed  safe.  I  thought  then  and  think  now, 
that  this  new  ship  that  we  had  nearly  finished  might  have  been 
the  loss  of  both  of  the  others,  as  the  Captains  were  forcing  them 
perhaps  harder  than  they  could  bear,  knowing  that  if  they  didn't 
reach  New  York  by  the  time  the  new  ship  was  done  that  the 
promised  change  would  not  be  made. 

About  this  time  Mr.  Baker  and  I  bought  a  large  part  of  a 
bark  about  six  years  old  loaded  with  grain  for  Ireland.  One  of 
our  neighbors,  Capt.  John  Davis,  a  man  of  much  experience  and 
a  thorough  sailor,  was  in  command.  Nine  days  from  New  York 
he  abandoned  the  vessel  in  a  sinking  condition.  The  water  had 
got  at  the  grain,  and  the  grain  choked  the  pumps.    We  went  on 


78 

with  our  new  vessel,  filled  her  full  of  hay  on  our  own  account, 
and  put  a  man  in  command  we  knew  well,  steady  and  reliable. 
Nine  days  from  Portland,  she  w^as  totally  dismasted.  The  ship 
was  at  anchor  at  the  Isaacs  the  northwest  part  of  the  Bahama 
Banks  in  a  heavy  northwest  wind.  They  couldn't  got  her  under 
way  to  clear  the  land  on  either  tack,  and  when  she  dragged  her 
anchors,  they  cut  away  her  three  masts.  Then  she  stopped  drift- 
ing. After  the  gale  was  over,  they  rigged  up  jury  masts  and  got 
her  to  Xew  Orleans,  the  port  for  which  she  was  bound.  It  cost 
us  over  $12,000  to  remast  her  and  rig  her  again. 

I  received  all  this  news  inside  six  weeks, — the  bark  I  owned 
nine-sixteenths  of,  total  loss ;  ship  that  I  owned  one-third  of,  the 
same ;  ship  that  I  owned  fifteen  thirty-seconds  of,  dismasted ;  none 
fully  insured.  (This  was  in  1854.)  Some  of  the  insurance  that 
I  had  is  not  yet  collected,  and  never  will  be,  on  account  of  the 
failure  of  the  companies. 

After  hearing  of  the  new  ship's  arrival  in  Xew  Orleans,  I  went 
to  Boston,  contracted  to  have  her  sails  all  made  and  sent  out  to 
New  Orleans,  called  at  one  of  the  insurance  offices  where  they  had 
ten  thousand  on  the  ship.  Col.  Adams  was  president  of  the  com- 
pany, and  I  told  him  what  I  had  done  about  the  sails,  and  that 
I  was  going  to  New  York  to  buy  all  the  rigging  and  send  it  out. 
He  approved  of  it.  I  asked  if  he  had  any  agents  in  New  Orleans, 
and  he  answered  "No,  nor  don't  want  any.  The  man  that  kept 
the  wreckers  from  that  ship  is  all  the  agent  I  want.  I  want  you 
to  write  him  to  be  sure  and  make  her  as  good  as  she  was  before." 

This  president  was  a  man  I  liked  much,  and  he  had  had  a  risk 
on  my  vessels  for  a  long  time. 

After  my  arrival  in  New  York  the  next  morning  I  bought  the 
rigging  and  had  it  on  its  way  by  the  first  steamer  that  left  New 
York  for  New  Orleans. 

About  the  time  this  vessel  was  done  in  New  Orleans,  a  friend 
of  mine,  Capt.  Enos  Soule  of  Freeport,  called  on  me  to  inquire 
how  I  was  getting  along  with  the  ship  in  New  Orleans.  I  told 
him  that  probably  she  was  about  finished.  He  asked  how  much 
it  was  going  to  cost.    "Over  $12,000,"  I  answered. 

"Have  you  the  money  to  pay  it  ?" 

"No,  I  have  instructed  the  Captain  to  draw  on  me  ten  days 
from  sight  for  the  whole  of  it,  and  the  money  is  due  me,  and  if 
I  am  not  disappointed,  I  shall  have  it." 

He  said,  "If  you  don't  have  it,  jump  into  your  sleigh  and  come 
over  to  see  me." 

This  man  had  offered  me  the  command  of  a  new  ship  many 
years  before  and  I  had  been  mate  of  a  vessel  that  he  owned  one- 


79 

third  of  before  I  was  twenty  years  old.  His  brother  was  master, 
and  I  was  offered  the  command  of  this  vessel  that  I  was  mate  of 
before  1  was  twenty-one.  I  did  not  accept  it  as  the  vessel  was 
bound  to  Mobile  in  hurricane  months  and  a  sickly  season.  But  I 
continued  to  go  mate  of  her.  I  escaped  tlie  hurricane,  but  most 
of  us  got  sick;  but  we  were  not  taken  till  after  we  had  got  to 
sea.  We  got  up  toward  Cape  Fear,  and  had  some  assistance  from 
a  pilot  boat  as  so  many  of  the  crew  were  sick,  and  got  into  Wil- 
mington. The  Captain  procured  a  sail  loft  for  the  men  and  took 
me  to  a  boarding  house  where  I  had  a  good  nurse  and  medical 
attendance. 

When  I  joined  the  vessel  again  she  was  loaded  for  Boston.  We 
arrived  in  Boston,  discharged  our  cargo,  and  came  to  Freeport. 
After  about  four  weeks  I  joined  the  same  vessel,  same  captain 
and  sailors  for  Xew  York.  We  were  partly  loaded  for  Appalachi- 
cola  when  I  was  taken  with  chills  and  fever  which  commonly 
occurs  after  having  Southern  fevers,  and  left  and  went  home  to 
my  father's.  I  didn't  get  rid  of  chills  and  fever  till  towards 
spring.  To  show  how  little  Northern  doctors  know,  I  was  bled 
till  I  was  much  reduced. 

After  feeling  that  I  was  sea- worthy  again,  I  came  to  Portland. 
Not  any  one  owing  vessels  or  employing  Captains  knew  me,  and 
I  had  no  one  to  refer  to,  and  when  I  asked  for  a  mate's  situation, 
the  first  question  was  "Do  you  know  how  to  store  molasses  ?" 

I  had  to  answer  "No," 

It  did  not  seem  as  though  I  could  get  a  mate's  situation.  I 
shipped  aboard  the  brig  Edward,  before  the  mast,  at  nineteen 
dollars  a  month.  We  went  to  a  number  of  ports  in  the  Windward 
Islands.  The  Captain  could  not  get  the  price  he  wanted  for  the 
cargo.  Aher  touching  at  a  number  of  places,  we  arrived  in  St. 
Jago,  Cuba.  Captain  sold  the  cargo  here  and  then  came  the 
hard  work  of  discharging,  which  we  did  without  hired  help.  The 
mate  was  sick, — he  was  the  Captain's  brother.  When  we  were  all 
ready  to  take  in  cargo,  a  lighter  of  molasses  alongside,  the  Cap- 
tain said  to  me,  "Can  you  stow  this  cargo  of  molasses  ?" 

"I  can  if  you  will  go  down  and  show  me  how  to  commence,  and 
occasionallv  come  down  and  look  at  it." 

He  did  go  down  and  show  me  how  to  commence ;  I  do  not  re- 
member that  he  ever  came  down  afterwards. 

We  loaded  a  full  cargo  of  molasses,  sailed,  and  arrived  at 
Staten  Island,  New  York.  We  were  quarantined  and  discharged 
molasses  into  lighters  with  our  own  crew.  There  was  not  a  hogs- 
head that  had  leaked  out,  which  showed  that  it  was  well  stowed, 
although  I  had  never  stowed  a  hogshead  of  molasses  before. 


80 

With  the  cargo  all  discharged  and  ballast  in,  the  vessel  was 
ready  for  sea.  The  mate  was  sent  home  on  our  first  arrival.  We 
had  got  our  breakfast  forward,  when  the  steward  came  and  said 
to  me,  "The  Captain  wants  to  see  you.^^  I  went  into  the  cabin,  he 
was  at  the  table,  and  said, 

"Ben,  sit  down  and  take  breakfast  with  me.  I  am  going  to 
make  a  mate  of  you." 

"I  can't  accept  the  situation." 

He  was  somewhat  surprised  and  wanted  to  know  the  reason. 
I  told  him  that  as  all  the  crew  was  going  in  the  vessel  they 
woudn't  feel  right  at  my  coming  aft  to  be  made  mate. 

"0,"  he  said,  "I'll  fix  that.  Cook,  go  and  tell  them  all  to  come 
aft." 

He  and  I  went  on  deck  and  he  said  to  them,  "I  am  going  to 
take  Ben  for  a  mate.  Which  would  you  rather, — that  I  take  him 
or  go  and  get  a  stranger  that  you  know  nothing  about  ?" 

It  was  their  unanimous  choice  to  have  me.  The  Captain  said 
to  them,  "He  is  now  Mr.  Webster.  He  is  *^Ben'  with  you  no 
longer.  Go  and  get  your  breakfast."  Then  turning  to  me,  "Now 
will  you  go  down  and  take  breakfast  with  me  ?" 

xA.fter  we  had  our  breakfast  he  gave  me  some  instructions  with 
regard  to  work  he  wanted  done, — securing  the  ballast,  getting 
vessel  ready  for  sea,  etc. 

After  the  men  had  time  to  eat  their  breakfast,  I  walked  for- 
ward and  said  to  them  in  a  commanding  voice,  "Turn  to." 

I  have  often  thought  since  what  a  change  there  was  between 
them  and  me,  as  I  had  been  a  companion  with  them  and  they 
were  now  to  receive  instructions  from  me  and  to  have  to  obey  me ; 
but  it  was  done  pleasantly.  We  went  to  a  Southern  port,  and 
loaded  and  sailed  and  arrived  in  Boston,  then  to  Portland.  All 
hands  left.  The  Captain  and  owner  of  the  vessel  came  down  on 
board  early  one  morning  and  the  owner  seemed  interested  in 
looking  about,  and  said  to  the  Captain,  "The  vessel  is  looking 
fine." 

This  pleased  me  as  I  had  taken  great  pains  to  have  everything 
right  and  in  order.    The  Captain  said  to  me  that  day, 

"My  brother  has  always  been  with  me,  but  left  on  account  of 
sickness.    He  is  now  well  and  wants  the  situation  again." 

I  was  very  much  disappointed  but  could  not  find  fault  with  the 
Captain.    He  said,  "I'll  get  you  a  chance  in  a  few  days." 

I  think  it  was  the  third  day  that  he  wrote  to  me  at  Freeport  to 
come  to  Portland,  as  he  had  a  situation  for  me.  I  went,  and  he 
introduced  me  to  Capt.  ISTewton  of  the  brig  "Eodney"  owned  by 


81 

Capt.  Asa  Clapp.  This  was  a  larger  vessel  and  carried  more  men. 
I  agreed  to  go  in  this  vessel,  went  home  and  got  my  clothing  and 
returned  the  next  day  to  join  the  vessel.  We  lay  tide-nipped 
three  days  before  we  could  get  away  from  the  wharf.  In  that 
time  I  was  told  that  this  Capt.  Newton  was  the  hardest  man  to 
sail  with,  out  of  Portland.  I  made  three  voyages  with  him,  and  I 
think  it  didn't  take  me  long  to  ascertain  that  I  had  been  told 
the  truth. 

To  go  back  to  the  vessel  that  was  dismasted  and  repaired  in 
New  Orleans  at  a  cost  of  $12,000. 

The  draft  I  was  looking  for  to  pay  the  bills  came,  and  I  had 
the  money.  Soon  all  the  bills  for  repairs  came.  I  had  written 
the  Captain  to  send  me  a  bill  for  his  wages  and  board  for  every 
day  the  ship  was  repairing,  which  he  did.  I  may  state  here  that, 
by  the  marine  law,  a  vessel  that  is  wrecked  and  arrives  at  the 
port  she  is  bound  to,  receives  nothing  for  the  victualling  and 
manning.  But  if  into  some  other  port  to  repair,  the  owners  re- 
cover full  pay  for  wages  and  provisions.  After  these  bills  came 
I  made  a  rough  calculation  as  to  how  much  I  would  get  from  the 
underwriters,  and  took  all  bills  and  went  to  Boston.  I  called  on 
General  Tyler,  average  adjuster.  I  don't  know  as  there  was  any 
other  marine  adjuster  in  Boston  at  that  time.  Told  him  I  had 
the  bills  for  an  adjustment,  asked  if  he  could  make  it  out  at  once, 
which  he  agreed  to  do.  I  told  him  I  wanted  him  to  look  over 
the  bills  with  me ;  so  I  opened  the  package  ancl  took  out  one  bill,, 
handed  it  to  him  and  asked,  "Where  does  this  go  ?" 

So  I  continued  handing  him  bills, — sometimes  he  would  say 
"General  average,"  other  times  "Partial  loss,"  sometimes  "To  the 
owners."  I  came  to  the  bill  that  I  had  instructed  the  Captain  ta 
send  to  nxe  for  his  expenses,  amounting  to  a  number  of  hundred 
dollars,  asking  "Where  does  this  go  ?" 

He  replied,  "Doesn't  go  anywheres.    No  business  here." 

I  said,  "I  want  it  put  in  the  adjustment,  and  I  want  it  under 
the  head  of  general  average." 

He  said  "It  doesn't  belong  there  and  I  won't  put  it  there." 

I  began  to  pick  up  the  papers  and  made  them  into  a  package 
as  they  were  when  I  entered  his  office.  He  asked  what  I  wa9 
going  to  do,  and  I  answered  that  I  was  going  to  have  the  bill  of 
the  Captain's  services  put  into  the  adjustment.  He  talked  con- 
siderable, telling  it  ought  not  to  be  put  in  and  didn't  b3long 
there.  All  this  I  knew  myself.  Still  I  persisted  that  I  was  going 
to  have  it  in.  At  last  he  said,  "Well  I'll  put  it  in,  but  it  will 
make  the  underwriters  mad,  and  I  won't  present  the  adjustment 
to  them." 


82 

I  answered  that  I  didn't  want  him  to,  but  that  I  wanted  him  to 
write  me  as  soon  as  he  had  it  done,  to  which  he  agreed ;  I  left. 

I  received  a  letter  sooner  than  I  expected  that  the  adjustment 
was  ready.  I  went  at  once  to  his  office  and  he  gave  it  to  me.  On 
looking  it  over  I  saw  that  he  had  put  in  the  Captain's  bill.  He 
had  more  talk  that  it  ought  not  to  be  there,  and  I  answered  I'd 
go  and  see  them.  I  took  it  and  all  the  bills  and  called  on  Colonel 
Adams,  to  whom  I  have  referred  before.  After  some  little  pleasant 
conversation  I  said,  "1  have  the  adjustment,  sir." 

When  I  first  entered  the  office  he  asked  me  to  have  a  seat. 
When  I  handed  him  the  adjustment  I  moved  my  chair  nearer 
to  his.  He  began  reading  it  over,  and  turned  over  quite  a  number 
of  leaves.  As  he  was  going  to  turn  over  the  next  leaf,  I  put  my 
finger  on  it.  He  looked  up,  and  I  said, — "Colonel,  I  want  to 
talk  a  little  before  you  turn  that  leaf."    "Well,  what  is  it  ?" 

"Do  you  remember  the  day  I  came  in  and  said  I  had  engaged 
to  have  the  sails  made  here,  and  that  I  was  going  to  Xew  York 
to  buy  the  rigging  and  send  all  out,  because  it  would  be  so  much 
cheaper,  and  you  approved  of  it,  and  that  I  asked  if  you  had  any 
agents  in  New  Orleans,  and  your  reply  you  made  ?  Now  you  can 
turn  over  the  leaf,  sir.  I  want  to  see  if  you  are  willing  to  pay 
your  agent." 

He  looked  along  and  came  to  the  charge  for  the  Captain's 
wages  and  board,  and  said,  "0,  yes,  yes,  I  see.  Well,  let  us 
proceed."  So  he  ^ent  all  through  to  the  end;  then  hauled  out 
a  drawer  of  his  desk,  and  took  up  a  memorandum  book,  and  said, 
^'^Af ter  you  left  here,  when  you  were  going  to  New  York,  I  made 
an  estimate  of  our  part  of  the  loss, — here  are  my  figures, — and 
you  have  it  over  three  hundred  dollars  less  than  my  estimate.  I 
will  allow  the  charge  of  the  Captain." 

I  felt  very  much  pleased,  and  said  so,  that  everything  was 
under  his  estimate,  but  added,  "I  am  in  the  situation  of  most 
downeasters,  short  of  money." 

He  called  his  cashier,  and  handed  the  adjustment  to  the  cash- 
ier, put  his  finger  on  the  part  his  office  was  to  pay,  saying,  "Draw 
a  check  in  favor  of  Mr.  Webster  for  that  whole  amount." 

This  surprised  me  as  the  partial  loss  was  not  due  for  sixty 
days.  Of  course  I  thanked  him  and  told  him  it  was  more  than  I 
expected.  He  had  $10,000  insured  on  the  vessel.  He  told  me  to 
go  to  the  Washington  office  which  had  $10,000,  and  tell  them 
about  it,  and  show  them  the  check  I  have'  given  you.  They  will 
do  the  same.  Then  you  go  to  the  other  two  offices  and  they  will 
do  the  same. 


83 

I  did  as  he  said,  and  got  the  four  checks.  Each  of  these  offices 
had  $10,000  apiece.  Then  I  took  my  adjustment  and  bills  and 
went  to  pay  General  Tyler  for  making  the  adjustment. 

As  I  entered  his  office,  I  tried  to  look  as  sad  as  I  could  over  the 
pleasant  feelings  that  I  had,  and  said, 

"Well,  give  me  your  bill,  if  you  please." 

"Well  you  found  it  just  as  I  said,  I  suppose,  and  came  back  to 
have  the  adjustment  changed  ?" 

"No,  there  was  no  change  asked  for.  The  adjustment  was  all 
satisfactory  and  they  seemed  pleased,  and  paid  me";  and  I 
showed  him  my  four  checks.  "What,"  he  cried,  "the  partial  loss 
wasn't  due  for  sixty  days." 

"I  know  that  but  they  were  so  well  pleased  that  they  gave  me 
a  check  for  the  whole  without  discount." 

In  later  years  I  became  more  acquainted  with  Gen.  Tyler,  and 
found  that  he  was  a  man  often  referred  to  in  admiralty  cases  by 
insurance  companies  and  owners  of  vessels,  and  I  have  gone  to 
him  myself  for  advice  and  assistance,  as  I  knew  he  was  well 
versed  in  admiralty  cases.  He  made  up  a  number  of  adjustments 
for  me  later. 

This  vessel  made  two  Atlantic  voyages,  then  sailed  from  Liver- 
pool for  Calcutta,  chartered  out  and  home  for  six  pounds  per  ton. 

Near  the  longtitude  of  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  the  Captain  died, 
and  the  mate  took  her  to  Calcutta,  then  to  London,  then  a  voyage 
into  the  Pacific ;  he  loaded  with  guano  at  the  Chincha  Islands  for 
London.  The  Captain  becoming  very  expensive,  I  ordered  him 
to  take  the  best  freight  he  could  get  in  London  or  the  east  coast 
of  England  and  come  to  the  United  States.  This  was  in  1857, 
before  there  were  any  cables  across  the  Atlantic.  He  chartered 
the  vessel  in  London  for  Calcutta,  saying  that  he  did  it  before 
receiving  my  instructions. 

The  ship  had  been  two  long  voyages  and  was  not  fit  to  go  an- 
other without  remetalling.  He  had  a  typhoon  in  the  Bay  of 
Bengal ;  the  ship  arrived  in  Calcutta  leaking  badl}^,  and  had  to 
be  recalked  and  remetalled.  He  wrote  to  me  for  a  letter  of  credit 
for  three  thousand  pounds.  I  did  not  dare  to  send  it  to  him,  as 
his  conduct  was  very  unsatisfactory.  I  procured  the  letter  of 
credit  from  Messrs.  Baring  Brothers  &  Company  and  sent  to 
their  agent,  Mr.  Gibson,  in  Calcutta  giving  him  power  to  manage 
the  ship's  business  in  Calcutta,  and  charter  her  home  to  the 
L^nited  States,  or  England. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  instructions  and  credit  they  sent  for  the 
Captain.  He  came  and  they  told  him  of  the  power  and  credit 
invested  in  themselves,  and  instructed  him  to  send  all  bills  to 


84 

them  to  be  paid.  Also  that  they  would  charter  the  ship  in  a  few 
days,  according  to  the  owner's  instructions. 

Not  hearing  from  him  for  three  days  they  sent  for  him.  He  in 
the  meantime,  had  chartered  the  ship  and  she  was  loading  for 
Sydney,  N.  S.  W.  He  got  most  of  his  freight  in  advance,  paid 
thiit  towards  disbursing  the  ship,  and  made  an  agreement  that 
he  would  return  to  Calcutta  from  Sydney  and  give  the  consign- 
ment of  the  ship  to  those  parties  so  that  they  would  get  their  pay. 

-Instead  of  doing  as  he  had  agreed  he  loaded  for  Hong  Kong. 
When  he  was  about  to  leave  Hong  Kong,  he  wrote  me  he  couldn't 
get  any  freight  for  Calcutta  and  he  had  chartered  for  Hong 
Kong.  He  wrote  the  Calcutta  merchant  that  he  should  come  from 
Hong  Kong  to  Calcutta  in  ballast.  By  his  doing  so,  they  would 
get  a  freight  for  the  ship  and  earn  their  commission.  Instead  of 
doing  as  he  had  written  me  and  them,  he  loaded  in  Hong  Kong 
for  Sydney,  N.  S.  W.  There  were  no  cables  in  those  days  nor 
mail  steamers  on  the  Pacific  or  Indian  Ocean. 

When  he  was  loaded  and  ready  to  leave  Hong  Kong  for  Sydney, 
N.  S.  W.,  again  he  wrote  he  should  get  a  cargo  of  horses  and  re- 
turn to  Calcutta.  I  had  no  confidence  in  the  man's  promises,  so 
sent  powers  of  attorney  to  different  ports, — Calcutta,  Hong 
Kong,  and  Valparaiso,  Chili.  After  he  arrived  at  Hong  Kong 
and  discharged  and  loaded  for  Valparaiso,  Chili,  he  wrote  me 
that  he  couldn't  get  any  freight  for  Calcutta,  and  there  was 
nothing  else  to  be  had  but  this  freight  for  Valparaiso.  He  ar- 
rived in  Valparaiso.  The  house  of  Alsop  &  Co.  there,  a  rich  and 
responsible  house,  showed  him  the  power  of  attorney  they  held, 
saying,  "Now,  you  must  work  under  our  instructions;  send  all 
bills  to  us,  and  later  we  will  see  what  can  be  done  in  chartering 
for  the  United  States." 

The  house  of  Alsop  &  Co.  had  full  power  to  remove  him,  or  if 
they  thought  it  was  for  our  interest,  to  let  him  take  the  ship  to 
the  States.  I  will  state  here  that  he  remitted  me  nothing  from 
Sydney  to  Hong  Kong,  nothing  from  Hong  Kong  to  Sydney,  and 
drew  most  of  his  freight  in  advance  from  Sydney  to  Valparaiso ; 
remitting  me  nothing. 

After  she  was  discharged  the  house  of  Alsop  &  Co.  loaded  her 
themselves  at  a  port  north  of  Valparaiso  with  copper  ore  for 
Baltimore.  x4.s  the  Captain  had  drawn  about  all  the  freight  in 
Sydney,  there  was  no  money  there  belonging  to  the  ship.  Alsop 
&  Co.  disbursed  her  at  Valparaiso,  and  at  their  branch  house  at 
her  loading  port,  so  the  Captain  had  not  any  use  for  money  to 
pay  out  anything  on  the  ship.  But  still,  at  his  loading  port,  he 
drew  on  me  for  $2,700.    This  was  partly  used  up  in  having  balls 


85 

and  high  times  on  board  ship.  Perhaps  part  of  it  he  kept  for 
himself,  as  she  was  bound  for  Baltimore,  and  he  knew  me  well 
enough  to  know  there  would  be  a  day  of  reckoning  there. 

Long  before  it  was  time  for  her  to  arrive  in  Baltimore,  I  had 
made  arrangements  with  the  house  of  Jackson,  Clarage  &  Co. 
to  telegraph  me  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  her  arrival  inside  the 
cape,  and  as  soon  as  she  arrived,  to  put  a  trusty  watchman  on 
board,  giving  him  strict  instructions  not  to  allow  anything  to  go 
out  of  the  ship. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

HELIOS'     ARRIVAL     IN      BALTIMORE  ;      CAPT.      CARTNEY     DIS- 
CHARGED ;     I    TOOK    COMMAND  ;     A    SHORT    VISIT    HOME. 

As  soon  as  I  heard  of  her  arrival  I  started  for  Baltimore,  arriv- 
ing in  the  night.  As  soon  as  Jackson,  Clarage  &  Co.'s  office  was 
open  in  the  morning,  I  was  there.  They  said  she  got  up  in  the 
afternoon  and  was  entered  at  the  Custom  House,  and  that  the 
Captain  was  going  to  pay  off  his  men  at  their  office  at  ten  A.  M. 

I  said  to  Mr.  Loud,  "I  will  go  up  to  the  hotel  and  I  want  you 
to  come  up  so  we  can  be  at  the  Custom  House  as  soon  as  it  is 
open,  to  introduce  me  to  the  collector."  He  did  so,  and  we  were 
at  the  Custom  House  at  nine  A.  M.,  and  I  was  introduced  to  the 
collector  as  owner  of  the  ship  Helios. 

I  asked  the  collector  to  let  me  see  the  register.  He  handed  it 
to  me,  and  I  opened  it  and  showed  him  my  name  as  managing 
owner,  and  said,  "I  want  to  be  made  Captain  and  have  a  certifi- 
cate made  out  to  that  effect  and  attached  to  the  register." 

It  was  all  done  and  the  register  put  away.  Then  we  went  to 
the  office  of  Jackson,  Clarage  &  Co.  The  Captain  was  there,  and 
appeared  to  be  very  glad  to  see  me,  little  thinking  that  I  was  Cap- 
tain. I  state  here  that  this  Capt.  Cartney  was  with  me  as  mate 
in  the  ship  Pumgustuck,  and  with  Capt.  Pratt,  mate  in  the  same 
ship,  and  left  the  Pumgustuck  at  sea  when  Capt.  Pratt  did.  Cap- 
tain Cartney  was  an  A  1  mate  but  when  he  became  Captain  he 
was  too  smart  for  me,  getting  ahead  of  me  in  every  port.  The 
reason  for  his  so  doing  was  that  I  couldn't  reach  him. 

Soon  the  men  came  and  he  had  their  accounts  made  out.  Mr. 
Loud  acted  as  secretary,  paid  over  the  money  to  the  men.  Two 
of  them  said  there  was  more  money  due  them  than  was  showed 
on  the  Captain's  account.  Captain  said,  "Stand  one  side  and 
call  the  next." 

As  these  men  were  paid  off  and  seated  on  the  settee  with  the 
two  who  were  not  willing  to  settle  with  Captain's  account,  I 
carefully  scrutinized  their  faces.  Two  of  them  I  sat  down  by,  and 
told  them  I  was  the  owner  and  asked  where  they  joined  the  ship 
and  where  they  boarded,  saying  that  probably  I  should  want  to 
see  them,  and  asking  them  to  remain  in  the  house  and  come  to  see 
me  if  sent  for  the  next  day,  to  which  they  agreed. 

When  all  men  were  paid  off, — officers,  cook  and  steward, 
amounting  to  seventeen,  I  said  to  Capt.  Cartney, — 


87 

"You  have  paid  off  all  your  crew,  officers  and  men.  I  have  no 
more  use  for  you,  as  I  am  Captain  of  the  Helios,  as  well  as  owner. 
I  am  going  to  make  you  three  propositions  and  you  may  take 
your  choice :  you  name  the  smallest  sum  you  will  take  and  sign 
a  receipt  releasing  all  claims  against  ship  Helios  and  her  owners." 

He  named  the  amount  and  I  told  him  I  shouldn't  accept  his 
proposition.  "Then,"  I  said,  "you  can  choose  one  of  the  referees, 
and  I  will  choose  another,  and  we  will  sign  an  agreement  to  abide 
by  their  decision.  If  you  don't  do  this  you  can  take  your  chances 
legally." 

By  this  time  he  began  to  look  very  different  from  what  he  did 
when  he  first  met  me,  and  he  chose  as  his  referee,  one  Bailey,  a 
ship-chandler  and  grocer.  I  told  him  I  would  let  him  know  very 
soon  where  my  man  was  and  when  we  could  meet.  I  took  Mr. 
Loud  one  side  and  said, — 

"I  don't  know  a  man  in  Baltimore  that  I  should  want  on  this 
case." 

He  said,  "I  know  the  right  man, — Mr.  Gongin  from  N'ew 
York.  He  is  a  man  who  is  well  posted  in  all  vessel  business  and 
has  a  ship  here  now,  I  will  see  if  I  can  find  him." 

He  went  and  soon  returned  with  him.  I  told  Mr.  Gongin 
what  I  wanted.  He  said,  "I  would  like  to  accommodate  you  if 
we  can  get  through  before  11  o'clock  to-night,  as  I  want  to  leave 
then  for  New  York." 

I  said,  "If  we  can  get  to  work  on  it  immediately  after  dinner, 
you  can  tell  by  8  or  9  o'clock  whether  you  will  be  likely  to  get 
through  or  not.    I  would  very  much  like  for  you  to  commence  it." 

Captain  Cartney  was  notified  to  come  with  his  referee  at  2 
P.  M.  to  a  private  counting-room  over  Mr.  Jackson's  office.  He 
came  and  Mr.  Gongin  was  there  and  we  began.  Mr.  Loud  was 
secretary. 

We  worked  along  till  about  9  o'clock  and  Mr.  Gongin  said,  "I 
have  got  into  this,  and  it  is  interesting  to  me,  and  I  want  to  see 
the  end.  I  am  satisfied  we  cannot  get -through  in  time  for  the 
New  York  train,  and  I  will  stop  over." 

We  adjourned  till  the  next  morning  at  9  o'clock. 

I  sent  out  for  oysters,  coffee,  etc.,  and  we  had  a  midnight 
supper. 

We  began  the  next  morning,  and  as  we  went  along  in  the  fore- 
noon, I  sent  a  boy  for  those  two  sailors.  They  came  and  Capt. 
Cartney  said,  "Are  you  going  to  use  those  two  men  against  me  ?" 
I  said  "Yes."  He  well  knew  that  he  was  in  a  tight  place,  and 
said,  "I  didn't  think  that  of  you." 


88 

I  examined  the  men  myself,  as  to  the  time  they  came  on  board 
the  ship  and  up  to  the  time  they  were  discharged.  In  many 
cases  they  showed  the  Captain's  dishonesty.  We  went  on  with  the 
case  till  about  4  P.  M.,  then  left  the  case  with  the  referees,  and 
departed,  leaving  them  and  the  secretary.  As  I  went  down  stairs 
I  met  my  friend  Louis  Walsh  from  New  York.  We  had  been 
business  friends  from  my  first  going  to  New  York  as  master.  He 
knew  how  Cartney  had  treated  me,  and  knew  the  ship  was  in 
Baltimore,  and  had  stopped  over  on  his  way  from  Washington  to 
New  York  to  see  me. 

Just  at  that  time  the  secretary  came  down  and  went  to  the 
oiBce  after  paper.  On  his  return  he  whispered  to  me  "You  have 
got  your  case."  My  friend  Mr.  Walsh  said,  "They  will  bring  in 
for  you  to  pay  him  something  so  as  to  get  him  to  sign  the  receipt. 
Do  be  particular  that  the  receipt  is  right." 

I  had  all  confidence  in  Mr.  Walsh,  and  knew  he  was  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  all  vessel  business.  I  said,  "Come  in  and  write 
the  receipt  for  me." 

He  did,  leaving  a  blank  for  the  amount  to  be  decided.    I  said, 

"Ijet  the  secretary  copy  this  off  and  fill  in  the  amount."  Then 
he  left  for  New  York, 

We  had  the  decision  that  night  and  the  very  small  amount  was 
paid  over  and  the  receipt  signed.  So  ends  my  business  acquaint- 
ance with  Capt.  Cartney  after  being  cheated  out  of  a  good  many 
thousand  dollars. 

When  I  received  the  draft  he  drew  on  me  from  Chili  for  $2,700, 
I  did  not  have  that  amount  of  money.  Mr.  Baker  who  owned 
most  half  of  the  ship  had  died  and  the  draft  came  to  me.  I  re- 
quested the  man  to  whom  the  draft  came  for  collection  to  let  it 
lay  till  the  next  day  without  protest,  and  he  did. 

I  saw  him  and  said  I  was  going  to  New  York  in  the  morning 
and  would  call  and  see  those  people  who  sent  the  draft  to  him, 
and  I  wanted  him  to  send  it  back  without  expense,  which  he 
said  he  would  do. 

The  next  morning  I  was  in  New  York  in  Mr.  Walsh's  counting- 
room  when  he  came  in.  He  asked  where  the  ship  Helios  was, 
how  much  freight  she  had,  etc.  I  told  him  I  had  another  draft 
from  the  Captain  of  $2,700  payable  in  ten  days,  that  I  had  not 
the  money  to  pay  it,  and  as  Mr.  Baker  was  dead,  I  had  to  look 
out  for  the  whole  thing  myself. 

"I  have  friends  who  will  help  me  get  this  money  from  the 
banks,  but  when  it  becomes  due  I  can't  meet  it,  for  the  ship  won't 
be  home,  and  I  have  come  on  here  to  see  you,  to  see  what  you 
will  do." 


89 


a 


ii^ 


ay 


ii^ 


"I'll  let  you  have  the  money/'  he  said. 

"At  what  terms  ?" 

'At  the  regular  interest." 

'Will  you  charge  me  for  advancing  ?" 

"No." 

'What  security  do  you  want  ?" 

'We'll  charge  it  to  you  on  our  books  and  you  may  go  home." 

The  Helios  was  loaded  with  copper  ore.  On  account  of  the 
Civil  war  it  was  not  possible  to  get  any  coal  from  Virginia  for 
the  smelting  works,  and  they  paid  me  a  good  freight  on  the  cop- 
per to  take  it  to  Liverpool.  This  was  a  very  good  thing  for  the 
ship,  as  we  did  not  have  to  discharge  her  or  load  her,  saving  ex- 
pense of  some  eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  dollars. 

I  telegraphed  to  my  wife  in  Yarmouth  that  I  should  be  home 
to  spend  but  one  night,  as  I  was  going  to  Liverpool,  and  if  she 
would  like  to  go  she  must  get  ready.  I  arrived  home  at  2  P.  M. 
She  had  not  received  the  telegram  as  the  wires  were  cut.  She  at 
once  said  she  would  be  ready  for  the  train  at  seven  the  next 
morning.  I  had  much  business  to  do,  so  put  all  my  business 
into  the  hands  of  an  attorney.  We  didn't  want  any  one  to  know 
it,  fearing  that  our  time  for  getting  ready  would  be  taken  up  by 
callers.  But  our  little  boy  George  who  was  given  to  us  when 
three  years  old  by  my  wife's  widowed  sister,  ran  out  and  told  the 
other  boys  "We  are  all  going  away  to  Liverpool  in  the  morning," 
and  the  whole  evening  was  taken  up  with  callers. 

I  had  called  on  B.  Freeman,  Esq.,  and  requested  him  to  come 
to  my  house  at  ten  o'clock  P.  M.,  as  I  was  going  away  and  wanted 
to  make  him  my  attorney.  He  came,  but  there  were  so  many 
others,  we  could  not  get  to  business  before  eleven.  I  had  many 
things  to  explain  to  him,  as  I  was  agent  for  two  ships  and  had 
other  business.  Probably  we  finished  and  he  left  between  twelve 
and  one. 

We  finished  our  packing  and  retired  for  a  short  nap.  Were 
up  early  and  had  breakfast.  The  team  came,  and  we  left  with 
the  table  set  and  fire  burning  in  the  dining-room.  We  arrived 
in  Baltimore  and  were  ready  for  sea  in  a.  lew  days. 

On  going  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay  found  all  the  buoys  on  the 
different  shoals  removed  by  the  rebels,  but  succeeded  in  getting 
out  without  trouble  from  any  source.  In  nineteen  days  we  ar- 
rived in  Liverpool.  I  discharged  the  cargo  of  copper  ore,  re- 
mitted the  money  and  paid  up  my  friend  Mr.  Walsh,  and  loaded 
with  salt  for  Wyborg  in  Finland.  I  arrived,  discharged  and 
loaded  deals  for  Bordeaux  in  France.  Arrived  there,  I  chartered 
for  San  Francisco. 


90 

A  new  consul  had  been  sent  to  Bordeaux  from  the  United 
States  about  the  time  I  arrived,  and  as  he  was  a  stranger  in  a 
strange  country  I  invited  him  and  his  wife  on  board  to  dine,  and 
made  quite  extensive  preparations  for  them, — flags  flying  in 
honor  of  him,  etc.  I  had  a  good  cook,  and  a  good  stewardess 
The  stewardess  was  well  dressed  for  one  in  her  position. 

Before  we  finished  dinner  I  noticed  the  consul  eyeing  her 
sharply  at  odd  times.  But  a  few  days  after  this,  my  stewardess 
was  missing,  and  I  heard  she  was  living  with  the  U.  S.  Consul.  I 
called  one  morning  at  the  consul's  office  for  letters,  and  he  was  in 
his  private  office.  He  called  me  in,  and  handed  me  two  orders, 
saying,  "I  would  like  for  you  to  pay  them." 

I  returned  them  and  said  I  should  not.  He  replied  "Your 
ship  shan't  leave  port  till  you  do  it." 

I  said  "I  will  not  do  it,  and  I  think  the  U.  S.  Consul  demeans 
himself  very  much  in  undertaking  to  collect  bills  that  the  sailors 
owe  that  girl." 

I  left,  he  angry,  and  I  not  pleasant.  When  I  went  to  the  office 
it  was  only  for  letters. 

About  this  time  the  chief  mate  had  deserted  from  the  vessel. 
Some  four  days  later  I  received  a  letter  from  the  consul  to  appear 
before  him  the  next  day  at  ten  A.  M. 

My  wife  felt  very  unhappy  when  I  received  this  letter,  fearing 
that  I  might  say  something  in  anger.  I  told  her  she  need  not 
be  alarmed,  for  I  had  had  a  night  to  think  of  it.  Next  morning 
I  went  to  my  broker's  office,  and  one  Captain  Crosby,  master  of 
a  big  ship  belonging  to  Thomaston,  was  there. 

I  said  "I  have  a  summons  to  appear  before  the  consul  at  ten 
o'clock  and  I  would  like  for  you  to  go  with  me." 

"I'll  go  with  pleasure,"  he  said. 

As  I  entered  the  consul's  private  office,  I  saw  this  deserter 
sitting  in  the  corner,  and  the  consul  at  the  table  reading  from  a 
large  book.  I  seated  myself  by  the  table,  and  took  out  my  watch, 
and  said, 

"Mr.  Davidson,  I  had  a  summons  from  you  to  appear  before 
ten  o'clock  this  morning.    The  time  has  arrived  and  I  am  here." 

He  said  to  Capt.  Crosby,  "I  have  some  private  business  with 
Capt.  Webster,  perhaps  you  had  better  retire." 

I  said  "I  invited  him  to  come  and  I  want  him  present." 

The  consul  said  "I  presume  you  know  the  law  regarding 
sailors." 

I  answered  "No,  I  have  never  studied  law." 

He  read  from  the  book  a  few  lines. 

I  said  "You  needn't  read  any  further,  sir,  I'll  tell  you  what 


91 

comes  next;  if  a  man  deserts  from  a  vessel,  the  Captain  is  to 
point  him  out  to  the  U.  S.  Consul,  and  he  is  to  arrest  him  and 
put  him  on  board/'    I  turned  to  the  deserter  and  said, 

"This  man  has  deserted  from  my  ship.  I  have  shown  him  to 
you,  and  done  my  duty ;  you  put  him  on  board  my  ship  again  and 
do  your  duty/' 

He  looked  very  much  surprised,  and  said  "Are  you  going  to 
take  him  on  board  and  reinstate  him  as  chief  mate,  or  will  you 
disrate  him?'' 

"I  shan't  answer  you  that  question,  but  I'll  assure  you,  he'll 
earn  his  money,  and  on  our  return  to  the  United  States,  if  he 
enters  a  complaint,  I  shall  have  to  answer  to  our  government/' 

He  turned  to  Captain  Crosby  and  asked,  "Can  he  disrate 
him  ?" 

Capt.  Crosby's  reply  was,  "He  is  master  of  his  own  ship/' 

Then  the  consul  said,  "I  think  you  better  fix  it  up  between 
you/' 

"I  have  nothing  to  fix  up;  he  has  deserted  from  my  ship;  I 
have  shown  him  to  you  and  done  my  duty.  You  do  your  duty, 
and  put  him  on  board.  If  this  is  all  you  summoned  me  for,  I 
will  leave." 

Capt.  Crosby  and  I  left  the  office  with' him  and  the  deserter. 

I  used  to  hear  from  the  consul  quite  often, — the  threats  he 
made,  and  that  my  ship  shouldn't  leave  port.  One  morning 
one  Capt.  Chandler  belonging  to  Yarmouth,  who  had  sailed  with 
me  years  past  as  second  mate  and  then  chief  mate,  and  was  now 
commanding  a  fine  vessel  in  port,  came  from  the  consul's  office 
to  me  and  said : 

"I  wish  you  would  go  and  pay  him  those  two  bills,  for  I  am 
satisfied  he  will  get  you  into  trouble  if  he  can." 

I  said,  "Then  you  think  I  better  do  it  ?" 

"I  think  that  will  be  the  easiest  way  out  of  it." 

I  replied,  "I  shall  not  do  it." 

There  was  another  American  Captain  in  port.  Captain  Blanch- 
ard  from  the  eastern  part  of  our  state.  As  he  and  the  U.  S. 
Consul  agreed  in  politics,  he  was  much  with  him. 

One  morning  he  came  to  me  and  said,  "The  TJ.  S.  Consul  and 
I  have  disagreed.  He  is  continually  abusing  and  threatening 
you,  so  much  so  that  I  could  stand  it  no  longer,  and  have  told  him 
how  ungentlemanly  it  is  to  abuse  and  threaten  a  man  behind 
his  back." 

From  this  time  I  always  considered  Capt.  Blanchard  a  strong 
friend  of  mine,  and  he  and  his  wife  have  come  up  from  Eastern 
Maine  to  make  me  a  visit  in  Portland  for  days. 


92 

About  this  time  I  saw  the  stewardess  the  consul  had  taken  from 
me  in  a  clothing  store.  I  didn't  feel  right  towards  her  for  the 
way  she  left  my  ship.  She  had  told  my  wife  or  some  one  else 
that  she  couldn't  stand  the  consul's  conduct  and  left  him.  Soon 
afterwards  she  took  pains  to  see  me  and  said,  "You  will  be  in 
want  of  men  soon.  I  can  get  them  for  you,"  and  she  did  procure 
me  a  whole  crew. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

LEAVE  BORDEAUX  FOR  SAN  FRANCISCO. 

My  ship  was  loaded,  my  business  done,  and  I  cleared  from  the 
Custom  House.  I  went  to  the  consul's  for  the  vessel's  register. 
It  was  handed  to  me  without  any  allusion  to  the  past,  and  the 
last  I  have  heard  of  this  U.  S.  Consul  was  through  my  friend 
Capt.  Blanchard,  who  had  seen  him  drunk  on  a  cotton  bale  on 
the  levee  at  New  Orleans.    So  he  must  have  been  reduced  low. 

I  will  tell  here  an  anecdote  about  George.  When  I  was  in 
Liverpool  he  was  very  anxious  for  a  pistol  and  I  bought  him  a 
six  shooter.  He  was  about  sixteen.  We  went  to  Wyborg  and 
Bordeaux.  One  Sunday  at  Bordeaux,  all  the  men  had  liberty  to 
go  on  shore,  and  both  mates  also,  which  I  was  unwise  to  allow. 
In  the  first  of  the  evening  the  men  all  returned,  probably  some 
of  them  more  or  less  drunk.  They  went  to  the  galley  for  their 
supper.  I  heard  loud  talk  and  opened  the  cabin  door.  It  was 
so  dark  I  could  not  see  but  one  man  whose  voice  I  knew  well ;  I 
called  him  by  name  and  said,  "Come  this  way."  As  I  stood  in 
th  entry  way,  he  came  along,  not  .thinking  what  I  wanted.  I 
put  my  hand  on  him  and  he  came  inside.  Being  lighted  the  men 
could  see.  I  heard  one  of  them  say,  "Now  let's  go  and  tear  the 
old  man's  house  down." 

I  ushered  the  sailor  into  the  cabin  and  told  him  to  sit  down 
and  not  to  attempt  to  come  out.  Mrs.  Webster  was  sitting  there, 
cool  and  collected  as  she  always  was  in  any  case  where  one  would 
usually  be  excited.  I  left  the  cabin,  shutting  the  door,  and  just 
at  that  time  there  was  the  whole  crew,  some  twelve  or  fourteen, 
before  me. 

They  said,  "Let  that  man  out !" 

"No,  you  can't  have  that  man.    Go  forward  !" 

Just  at  that  moment  George  jumped  from  the  poop  to  my  side, 
revolver  in  hand,  and  said,  "Father,  I  am  good  for  six  of  them." 

The  men  left  and  went  for  their  supper.  Order  was  restored, 
and  I  returned  to  the  cabin  to  see  the  situation  of  my  guest. 

Mrs.  Webster  and  he  sat  there,  cool,  and  apparently  satisfied, 
Mrs.  Webster  with  her  guest,  he  with  his  hostess. 

It  was  a  custom  of  mine,  the  latter  part  of  my  commanding 
ship,  when  I  had  to  deal  with  a  saucy  or  unruly  sailor  to  take 
him  into  the  cabin.     If  bad  weather  to  shut  him  up  with  Mrs. 


94 

Webster.  After  being  there  a  reasonable  time  I  never  knew  a 
case  but  that  the  man  promised  good  fashions  and  went  off  seem- 
ingly pleased. 

While  I  was  loading,  certain  parties  applied  for  a  passage  for 
six,  and  if  I  took  them  I  would  have  a  very  good  rate  for  their 
passage,  and  would  get  ninety  tons  of  cargo.  They  were  two 
women,  two  girls,  and  two  men. 

Not  having  sufficient  accommodations  for  them  I  concluded  to 
dispense  with  a  second  mate  and  use  his  room  for  them,  thinking 
that  with  the  carpenter,  whom  I  liked,  and  George  and  myself, 
between  us  three,  we  could  do  the  duty  of  second  mate. 

I  had  a  chief  mate  who  was  previously  second  mate  on  a 
Thomaston  ship,  highly  recommended  by  his  Captain.  All  things 
went  on  pleasantly  until  I  got  into  bad  weather  south  of  the  La 
Plata  river,  then  I  began  to  discover  signs  of  insanity  in  the  mate. 
The  more  bad  weather  we  had  the  greater  the  insanity.  Some- 
times it  was  so  bad  he  was  locked  in  his  room.  He  did  no  duty 
at  all. 

One  morning  the  steward  said  to  me  "Mr.  Connor,  the  mate, 
says  he  is  going  on  shore,  and  he  has  his  things  all  out  on  deck 
packing.'' 

I  said,  "Don't  you  speak  to  him  nor  take  any  notice  of  him 
whatever."  Perhaps  in  two  or  three  hours  he  put  his  things  all 
back  in  his  room,  went  in  himself,  and  was  quiet. 

I  will  relate  one  circumstance  off  the  Cape.  It  is  always  ex- 
pected to  find  more  or  less  stormy  weather  and  heavy  gales  in 
going  around  Cape  Horn,  so  before  we  get  there  we  change  our 
sails, — take  off  the  poor  ones,  and  put  on  the  newest  and  strongest 
canvas  we  have.  One  afternoon  it  was  blowing  a  gale  of  wind 
from  the  west  with  heavy  rolling  Cape  Horn  seas.  The  ship  was 
under  three  close  reefed  topsails,  reefed  canvas,  Jib  and  spanker. 
The  gale  increased  very  suddenly  and  came  with  a  heavy  squall 
accompanied  by  heavy  snow.  It  was  evident  we  must  get  sail  off 
the  ship  or  we  should  lose  it  and  perhaps  some  of  the  spars.  So 
first  we  hauled  up  the  reefed  mainsail,  that  was  quite  snug  as 
we  had  extra  spilling  lines  around  it,  which  are  lines  to  haul 
snug  to  the  yard  to  keep  the  wind  out  of  it  so  it  shall  not  blow 
away  before  it  can  be  furled.  ISText  we  clewed  up  the  foretopsail, 
and  then  it  was  necessary  to  get  the  inner  jib  in. 

I  was  with  the  men  encouraging  them,  but  it  seemed  almost  as 
if  the  spars  would  be  blown  out  of  the  ship.  In  getting  the  inner 
jib  in  I  had  hold  of  the  down-haul  with  the  men.  A  heavy  sea 
came  along  over  the  ship's  bow.     I  think  she  plunged  into  it. 


95 

with  her  bow  wholly  under  water.  We  held  on  the  down-haul ;  if 
we  hadn't  had  hold  of  that  or  some  other  strong  rope,  we  should 
all  have  been  washed  away. 

Then  I  sent  them  up  to  furl  the  foretopsail,  fearing  it  might 
blow  away,  although  it  was  hauled  up  snug  with  spilling  lines. 
The  men  were  all  on  the  yard  for  some  time  making  no  progress 
towards  furling  the  sail.  It  blew  so  hard  I  couldn't  make  them 
hear,  so  I  sent  the  steward  up  to  tell  them  all  to  come  down.  I 
went  into  the  cabin  and  returned  with  a  glass  and  a  bottle  of 
good  brandy.  I  told  the  steward  to  call  the  men  all  aft.  There 
was  one  man  older  than  the  rest,  a  good  sailor  and  a  valuable  man 
to  me  in  the  situation  I  was  in, — without  officers.  As  I  handed 
him  the  glass  with  the  brandy  in  it,  he  swallowed  it,  passed  back 
the  glass,  and  said,  "Captain,  that  topsail  must  be  saved." 

"Then  go  and  do  it,  and  be  quick." 

It  was  astonishing  how  quickly  that  sail  was  furled.  Perhaps 
that  new  topsail  was  saved  by  one  bottle  of  brandy.  I  will  men- 
tion here  that  there  was  no  Maine  law  off  Cape  Horn. 

Then  the  next  sail  was  the  mainsail  that  was  hauled  up  snug, 
all  blown  away,  and  not  enough  left  to  furl.  The  gale  still  con- 
tinued, and  the  ship  was  under  a  close  reefed  maintopsail  and 
reefed  foresail.  She  plunged  into  these  heavy  seas  as  if  strug- 
gling for  life.    This  was  the  eleventh  of  June,  1862. 

The  next  day  it  moderated  some,  and  we  bent  another  main- 
sail. We  turned  one  reef  out  of  the  topsail,  striving  to  do  all  we 
could  not  be  driven  eastward.  The  parrel  (this  is  what  confines 
the  yard  to  the  topmast,  and  slips  up  and  down  on  the  topmast, 
as  the  yard  is  hoisted  up  and  lowered  down)  of  the  maintopsail 
yard  was  carried  away.  To  repair  this  temporarily  so  as  to  set 
the  maintopsail  again  would  be  a  difficult  job  in  a  com^mon  gale 
of  wind,  but  now  when  blowing  almost  a  tornado,  with  snow,  it 
was  almost  impossible ;  but  it  had  to  be  done,  and  as  always  with 
me,  there  was  no  such  word  as  "can't"  on  shipboard. 

It  took  some  time  and  I  was  there  during  the  most  of  it  with 
the  sailor  who  had  said  the  topsail  must  be  saved,  and  we  fixed  it, 
and'  set  a  close  reefed  topsail  before  noon.  It  was  repaired  so 
well  that  it  lasted  us  to  San  Francisco. 

Soon  after  there  was  a  change  in  wind  and  weather,  and  we 
got  far  enough  west  to  get  around  the  Cape.  The  breezes  were 
strong  so  we  made  the  north  fast.  We  soon  got  into  good  weather 
and  began  to  think  about  having  the  ship  look  nice  to  enter  port. 
The  mate  did  not  improve  at  all,  so  I  selected  four  men,  and 
made  one  captain  of  the  bowsprit,  one  of  the  foremast,  one  of  the 


96 

mainmast,  and  one  of  the  mizzenmast.  The  ratlines  on  all  the 
shrouds  were  renewed  and  everything  else  done  to  rigging  above 
the  rail  that  was  necessary. 

As  we  went  further  north  into  fine  weather,  everything  was 
repainted  on  the  deck, — houses,  bulwarks,  etc.,  decks  thoroughly 
holystoned  and  oiled.  The  outside  was  rubbed  over  with  lamp- 
black and  oil,  so  she  looked  like  new.  For  about  the  three 
years  I  was  in  the  ship  we  never  used  a  paint  brush  on  the  out- 
side for  the  black.  We  would  put  a  very  little  lampblack  into 
oil,  take  a  wad  of  oakum  and  rub  it  over  and  make  it  look  bright 
as  new.  Paint  used  this  way  would  never  get  on  body  enough 
to  blister. 

While  this  performance  w^as  going  on,  a  stage  was  over  the  side, 
and  two  men  had  been  rubbing  with  wads  of  oakum.  I  looked 
over  to  see  how  they  were  getting  along.  One  stopped  and 
looked  at  his  hands,  as  black  as  a  negro's,  and  said  to  his  com- 
panion, 

"Tom,  I  hope  the  next  ship  you  and  I  get  aboard  of  they  won't 
be  so  damned  poor  but  that  they  can  find  us  a  paint  brush." 

Perhaps  he  never  knew  that  I  heard  his  remark. 

Everything  went  on  pleasantly  and  all  seemed  interested  to 
have  the  ship  look  nice.  We  arrived  in  San  Francisco  with  an 
appearance  that  was  to  my  entire  satisfaction,  and  1  think  every 
sailor  felt  proud  of  the  ship.  It  was  not  an  uncommon  thing 
for  the  crew,  after  being  discharged,  to  come  down  with  other 
sailors  to  look  at  the  vessel. 

One  Sunday  morning  when  everything  was  quiet,  two  sailors 
were  walking  on  the  wharf  and  stopped  to  look  the  ship  over. 
One  said,  "This  is  the  ship  that  came  in  without  any  mates." 

We  discharged  our  cargo,  collected  the  freight  amounting  to 
about  fifteen  thousand  dollars  in  gold.  Gold  then  was  worth 
over  two  hundred  per  cent,  making  this  freight  over  thirty  thous- 
and dollars.  We  loaded  for  Melbourne  with  grain,  flour  and  oats. 

This  freight  was  procured  through  a  ship  broker.  I  had  never 
seen  the  shipper  till  the  ship  was  loaded  and  in  the  stream.  It 
was  a  very  busy  day  with  me,  getting  business  finished ;  I  called 
at  the  shipper's  office  and  asked  if  bills  of  lading  were  ready  for 
ship  Helios.  I  was  asked  into  the  private  office  of  the  shipper, 
and  he  said, 

"Are  you  Captain  of  ship  Helios  ?" 

I  replied  "I  am." 

He  said,  "Here  I  have  chartered  a  ship,  she  is  loaded  and  in  the 
stream  and  I  have  never  seen  the  Captain.  I  have  been  wonder- 
ing what  he  looked  like." 


97 

I  said,  "He's  before  you,  you  can  take  a  look  at  him,  but  don't 
look  long  for  I  am  in  a  great  hurry.  Are  the  bills  of  lading 
ready  ?" 

He  said,  "When  are  you  going  to  sea  ?" 

I  answered  "This  P.  M.  if  you  give  me  $50  to  pay  the  tug- 
boat." 

He  said,  "I  will." 

I  signed  bills  of  lading,  and  took  mine  and  the  fifty  dollars 
and  left  well  pleased.  In  forty-two  days  I  was  in  Melbourne, 
although  the  ship  was  loaded  deep  to  within  twenty-one  feet  of 
water.  It  was  a  very  good  passage,  and  the  Yankee  ship  that 
came  from  San  Francisco  to  Melbourne  in  forty-three  days  re- 
ceived a  great  many  puffs  in  the  papers. 

I  discharged,  collected  the  freight  and  remitted  from  this 
freight  fourteen  thousand  three  hundred  dollars;  seventy-three, 
days  from  the  time  I  chartered  in  San  Francisco,  I  had  collected 
the  freight  and  remitted.  I  then  engaged  to  take  passengers  for 
Hong  Kong,  fifteen  dollars  a  head,  everything  found  except  wood 
and  water,  berths  were  to  be  put  up  between  decks,  and  a  galley 
or  kitchen  on  deck. 

When  I  loaded  in  San  Francisco,  the  ship  had  to  be  sealed  up 
with  lumber  so  as  to  keep  the  dry  cargo  from  being  damaged.     To 
do  this,  I  bought  good  lumber  and  used  it  without  cutting  for 
sealing.     I  made  a  bargain  with  a  man  to  fit  the  ship  for  passen- 
gers in  Melbourne,  put  up  all  the  berths,  arrange  for  cooking, 
furnish  all  the  water  casks,  and  fit  the  ship  in  every  way  so  she 
would  pass  survey, — all  for  a  fixed  amount.     He  was  to  give  me 
so  much  a  thousand  feet  for  all  my  lumber.     Eemember  that 
this  lumsber  had  already  accomplished  its  purpose  in  sealing  the 
ship.     When  I  came  to  settle  with  the  man  who  had  fitted  the  ship 
in  Melbourne,  he  owed  me  quite  a  small  amount.     I  had  my  com- 
plement of  Chinese  passengers  and  sailed  for  Hong  Kong.     I 
got  up  where  I  ought  to  have  strong  southeast  trades  and  the 
vessel  should  have  been  making  two  hundred  forty  miles  a  day 
but  we  lay  for  days  almost  becalmed  with  light*  baffling  winds  and 
made  but  little  distance.     One  pleasant  morning  when  I  came  up 
with  very  light  airs,  only  enough  for  the  ship  to  have  steerage 
way,  one  of  the  'tween  deck  passengers  came  aft  with  an  inter- 
preter and  asked  the  privilege  to  come  aft  to  say  "Joss"  for  a 
fair  wind.     I  asked  how  many  would  take  part  in  the  ceremony 
and  he  said  three. 

The  reason  for  my  question  wa^^that  passengers  that  are  cla.ssed 
as  'tween  deck  passengers  are  not  allowed  aft,  but  the  one  who 
had  come  and  made  the  request  had  been  pointed  out  to  me  as  a 


98 

rich  man,  and  from  what  I  had  seen  of  his  dress  and  appearance, 
he  seemed  far  above  the  class  of  passengers  he  was  with.  Aftei 
his  request  was  granted,  I  went  to  the  cabin  and  told  Mrs.  Web- 
ster what  was  to  be  done,  and  wanted  her  to  come  up.  In  a  very 
short  time  the  three  came,  spread  their  white  cloth  on  deck,  and 
put  a  cooked  chicken,  bottle  of  wine,  and  abundance  of  joss-papei 
upon  it.  The  three  knelt  down  over  their  offering,  saying  some- 
thing in  their  language  and  often  bowing  their  heads  to  the  deck. 

After  rising  they  cut  the  chicken  into  portions.  All  three 
stood  up,  saying  something  in  their  language,  a  piece  of  the 
chicken  was  thrown  into  the  sea,  and  they  beckoned  with  their 
hands  in  the  direction  from  which  they  wished'  the  wind  to  blow. 
Then  they  handed  Mrs.  Webster  and  myself  a  piece  of  the  chicken. 
Then  they  poured  the  wine  into  glasses,  knelt  again,  and  repeated 
something,  bowing  to  the  deck.  When  through  with  their  prayer 
they  poured  the  contents  of  one  glass  of  wine  over  the  ship's  stern 
praying  and  becj^oning  as  before.  They  then  handed  Mrs.  Web- 
ster and  myself  some  of  the  wine,  then  lighted  large  bunches  of 
the  joss-paper,  making  quite  a  torch,  and  then  threw  it  over  the 
ship's  stern,  praying  and  beckoning  as  before. 

This  was  continued  until  all  the  joss-paper  was  burned.  Then 
they  gathered  up  the  fragments  and  the  white  cloth,  shook  hands 
with  Mrs.  Webster  and  myself, — thanking  me  through  the  in- 
terpreter for  the  privilege  I  had  allowed, — and  went  away 
pleased.  ^ 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  before  twelve  o'clock  at  noon,  the  ship 
was  going  some  eight  or  ten  miles  an  hour  with  a  fine  fair  wind. 
Doubtless  the  Chinamen  thought  their  saying  Joss  had  brought 
the  wind. 

Everything  continued  pleasant. 

I  had  quite  a  number  of  hogs  and  sheep  on  board  and  used  tc 
have  a  butchering  day  once  a  week.  The  meat  was  generally  all 
spoken  for  before  butchering  day  by  the  Chinamen,  and  the 
steward  took  the  names  of  all  who  applied  and  the  amounts 
asked  for.  Butchering  day  there  was  a  regular  meat  stall  arranged. 
The  steward  took  his  book  and  called  the  first  name,  and 
when  the  man  appeared  the  steward  weighed  out  the  amount 
engaged,  gave  it  to  him  and  took  his  money ;  and  so  through  the 
list  of  applicants.  There  was  a  portion  reserved  for  ourselves 
and  the  balance,  if  any,  was  quickly  applied  for  by  the  passengers. 
So  things  went  on  until  we  arrived  in  Hong  Kong. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

ARRIVAL    AT    HONG   KONG. 

We  came  to  anchor  outside  the  fleet  in  the  harbor  of  Hong 
Kong  one  night  about  eleven  o'clock.  A  Chinaman  came  to  me 
with  an  interpreter  stating  that  three  wanted  to  go  ashore  to  get 
things,  as  they  wanted  to  say  Joss  for  good  luck  to  the  ship  before 
thev  left  her. 

In  the  morning  we  were  warping  the  ship  up  in  amongst  the 
others  when  Captain  Colby,  master  of  ship  Washington,  came 
on  board  and  offered  to  go  with  me  and  show  me  the  parties  to 
whom  I  had  letters  of  introduction.  I  told  the  mate  of  the  ship 
the  Chinamen  would  say  Joss,  and  for  him  not  to  interfere  with 
them  but  let  them  have  a  good  time,  but  to  be  sure  and  keep  a 
sharp  look-out  while  the  paper  was  burning  that  nothing  took 
fire. 

I  went  on  shore,  and  called  on  two  parties  to  whom  I  had  let- 
ters of  introduction.  At  the  third  place,  the  counting-room  was 
up  stairs,  and  there  were  doors  leading  out  on  the  verandas. 
Captain  Colby  and  others  were  sitting  out  there,  while  I  was  in- 
side with  the  head  man  of  the  house,  to  whom  I  had  delivered  my 
letter.     Captain  Colby  called  out,  "Webster,  your  ship  is  on  fire.'* 

As  I  went  on  to  the  piazza  she  was  so  completely  covered  with 
smoke  that  only  part  of  the  hull  was  discernible,  and  I  surely 
thought  Colby  was  right.  I  was  so  completely  surprised  that  my 
strength  left  me  and  I  sank  on  a  settee.  One  of  the  clerks  came 
with  water  and  as  I  revived  the  Chinese  clerk  said  in  good  En- 
glish, 

"Your  ship  is  not  on  fire.  The  Chinamen  are  saying  Joss. 
She  will  be  chartered  before  night." 

I  have  no  doubt  Captain  Colby  concluded  he  was  carrying  a 
joke  too  far;  but  my  ship  was  chartered  before  I  left  the  office, 
for  twelve  thousand  dollars  in  gold  for  San  Francisco.  The 
cargo  was  in  the  lower  hold,  and  Chinese  passengers  between 
decks.     The  Chinese  found  everything. 

As  my  ship  was  all  fitted  for  passengers,  I  rented  out  all  thd 
water-casks,  berths,  and  other  fittings,  which  paid  me  a  great 
deal  more  than  I  paid  for  my  lumber  in  San  Francisco. 

As  I  was  chartered  by  the  lump  sum  I  didn't  want  to  have  an 
excess  of  passengers,  as  there  was  a  large  fine  for  every  one  over 


100 

the  number  the  ship  was  entitled  to  carry.  Every  one  is  entitled 
to  fourteen  superficial  feet  of  the  deck.  They  have  a  surveyor  to 
measure  the  ships  to  see  how  many  passengers  can  be  taken.  As 
my  ship  was  chartered  by  the  lump  sum  they  wanted  to  put  in  all 
they  could. 

I  called  on  the  surveyor  and  told  him  I  would  like  to  be  on 
board  when  he  came  to  measure  the  ship,  and  he  answered  it 
would  make  no  diffenence  whether  I  was  there  or  not.  But  he 
did  agree  to  let  me  know.  A  few  days  afterwards,  I  had  been  on 
shore,  and  on  returning  to  the  ship  was  informed  that  the  sur- 
veyor had  been  on  board  and  measured  for  passengers,  and  gave 
me  a  piece  of  paper  which  contained  the  surveyor's  estimate.  At 
a  glance  I  saw  that  he  had  largely  overestimated  the  number  al- 
lowed by  American  law. 

The  surveyor  handed  his  certificate  in  to  the  merchant  and 
when  I  went  to  the  charterer's  office  the  certificate  was  handed 
me. 

I  looked  at  it  and  told  the  merchant  there  was  a  mistake,  that 
she  did  not  have  room  for  that  number  of  passengers  and  I  would 
have  her  measured  over  again. 

I  went  to  the  surveyor  and  told  him  I  was  surprised  that  he 
had  not  given  notice  of  his  intended  visit,  and  he  replied  again 
"0,  that  will  make  no  difference." 

I  said,  "There  is  a  mistake,  sir,  and  I  want  you  to  measure 
again;  I  know  the  vessel  has  not  as  many  superficial  feet  in  her 
deck  as  you  have  given,  and  if  you  will  go  on  board  and  show  me 
how  you  get  it  I  will  pay  you  your  fee  for  measuring  a  second 
time.  If  you  can't  show  me,  I  shan't  expect  you  to  charge  me 
anything." 

"0,"  he  said,  "there's  no  mistake.  It's  an  every  day  occur- 
rence with  me  to  measure  ships,  and  it's  all  right." 

I  said  it  was  not,  and  that  if  he  would  not  go  again,  I  should 
protest  against  his  measurement.  I  think  that  he  began  to  see 
that  I  was  in  earnest,  and  agreed  to  come  the  next  day. 

I  received  him  politely,  but  soon  saw  that  he  was  out  of  sorts. 
We  went  between  decks,  he  with  his  man  to  hold  the  tape,  and  I 
with  my  mate  and  paper  for  memorandum.  He  took  the  length 
over  the  top  of  the  breast-hooks  about  four  feet  from  deck. 

I  said,  "The  American  law  says  the  deck,  and  you  are  taking 
the  length  some  three  feet  longer  than  the  deck." 

He  replied,  "This  is  my  way." 

I  said  to  the  mate,  "Put  down  that  length  and  write  under  it, 
'iess  three  feet.' " 

Then  he  took  the  width  on  top  of  the  lock-streak.     I  said. 


101 


"You  are  getting  one  and  a  half  feet  more  width  than  the  deck; 
gives." 

He  replied  as  before,  and  prepared  to  leave. 

"Look  here/'  I  said,  "you  haven't  taken  out  for  the  masts,  nor 
pump  well,  nor  chain  locker." 

"0, 1  never  do  anything  for  that." 

I  replied  "The  United  States  law  does,  and  it  has  to  be  done 
in  this  case." 

He  seemed  very  cross  and  ungentlemanly  all  this  time.  I  in- 
vited him  into  the  cabin,  introduced  him  to  Mrs.  Webster,  and 
called  the  steward  for  cakes  and  wine.  As  he  drank  wine  and 
talked  with  Mrs.  Webster  he  seemed  to  become  more  genial.  I 
said, 

"Now  let's  figure  up.  I'll  take  your  dimensions  first,  mine 
afterward." 

I  figured  up  by  his  dividing  by  fourteen  and  figured  the  num- 
ber of  passengers.  After  some  time  he  ended  his  work  and 
asked  how  much  I  made  of  it. 

"Haven't  you  got  her  figured  out  yet?" 

"No,  but  let  me  look  at  yours." 

He  looked  it  over,  and  said  "Why  you  are  right.  I'll  have 
another  certificate  made  out,  and  take  the  other  one  away." 

After  a  few  days  I  called  at  the  merchant's  to  see  the  new 
certificate.  If  changed,  it  was  precisely  like  the  other.  I  said 
to  the  merchant,  "It  is  not  right,  and  I  cannot  take  that  number 
of  passengers.  You  and  I  will  go  aboard  and  measure  the  ship 
and  you  will  be  satisfied  yourself." 

He  said,  "There  must  be  some  arrangement  for  them  to  go, 
for  they  are  in  families  and  cannot  be  separated." 

He  and  I  went  to  the  ship.     As  we  went  on  deck  he  said, 

"Can't  there  be  a  temporary  house  put  here  to  hold  fifteen  or 
twenty-five  ?" 

So  we  measured  out  how  a  house  could  be  put  on,  and  he  said, 

"I  will  pay  all  the  expense  of  this  house." 

"Yes,  but  I  didn't  charter  my  ship  to  you  to  take  a  deck  load 
of  passengers.     How  much  will  you  give  me  ?" 

We  settled  at  fifteen  dollars  per  head  for  the  passengers, — 
about  thirty  I  think,  and  there  were  quite  a  number  left. 

I  said  I  would  add  eight  to  my  crew  list  at  the  same  price. 
Then  there  were  three  or  four  left,  and  I  agreed  to  take  them  in 
the  cabin.     This  all  amounted  to  over  six  hundred  dollars. 

As  I  had  some  little  time  before  the  cargo  was  coming  and  the 
ship  was  not  coppered  up  so  high  as  I  wanted,  I  bought  metal  of 
a  Chinaman  for  about  two  thirds  price  and  we  made  a  stage  from 


102 

our  own  spars  on  board.  I  had  no  crew  on  board  but  the  mates, 
two  boys  and  the  carpenter.  We  calked  the  seams,  and  put  on  the 
metal  ourselves,  thus  saving  quite  a  sum  of  money. 

After  the  ship  was  loaded,  and  the  passengers  on  board,  I 
wanted  to  get  clear  of  the  fleet  so  as  to  get  under  way  the  next 
morning.  It  was  blowing  strong  and  raining,  and  there  were  no 
tug-boats,  I  ran  a  hauser  from  my  ship  to  another  one,  with  whose 
Captain  I  was  acquainted,  calculating  that  when  I  hove  up  my 
anchors  the  ship  would  drift  down,  the  hauser  became  taut  and 
she  would  swing  round.  As  soon  as  the  anchors  were  off  the  bot- 
tom, she  swung  round  side  ways  to  the  wind.  When  the  stern 
hauser  became  taut,  it  parted.  The  jibs  being  all  ready,  they 
were  hoisted  and  she  paid  off  before  the  wind.  We  ran  down 
through  the  fleet  and  came  to  anchor,  and  my  mind  was  very 
much  relieved.  The  Captain  of  the  Boston  ship  sent  me  my 
hauser,  and  I  went  back  on  shore  to  close  up  my  business  and  be 
ready  for  sea  the  next  morning. 

After  getting  through,  and  being  ready  to  go  on  board  I  went 
to  the  ship  chandler's  store  for  letters.  This  store  was  a  resort 
for  all  American  masters.  One  had  lately  come  down  from 
Shanghai  in  a  very  fine  ship.  Another  from  Sydney,  IS".  S.  W. 
I  had  never  seen  these  two  men  before,  and  they  were  there  in 
conversation  with  the  other  Captains. 

One  of  them  said,  "Did  you  see  that  Yankee  ship  run  down 
through  the  fleet  this  morning  ?  It  required  a  great  deal  of  nerve 
to  do  that." 

The  other  one,  also  a  stranger  to  me,  said,  "Yes.  That  was 
the  man  who  wanted  to  copper  his  ship  up  higher  and  was  too 
mean  to  hire  a  carpenter  or  even  a  carpenter's  stage,  but  put 
some  spare  spars  overboard  and  made  their  own  stage  and  did 
their  own  work." 

All  present  knew  me  except  those  two.     I  turned  to  them, 

"I  am  the  man  that  ran  the  Yankee  ship  down  through  the 
fleet,  and  I  am  the  man  who  was  too  mean  to  hire  a  carpenter 
or  even  a  carpenters  stage,  but  made  my  own  stage,  and  with 
the  assistance  of  my  two  mates,  carpenter,  and  two  boys,  all  the 
crew  I  had,  we  calked  the  seams,  put  on  the  metal,  and  got  a  nice 
water  line.  All  this  was  done  without  paying  out  a  dollar,  and 
I  feel  proud  of  the  job.  Do  you  think  any  one  of  you  could  put 
a  water  line  round  a  ship  when  she  lays  afloat  ?" 

As  my  business  was  all  done,  the  boat  was  waiting  to  take  me 
aboard,  I  shook  hands  with  all  my  friends  and  the  two  new  Capt- 
ains, and  bade  good-by  and  went  on  board. 


103 

The  mate  told  me  as  soon  as  I  arrived  that  the  passengers  be- 
tween decks  had  had  a  terrible  fight.  *  I  inquired  into  it  through 
an  interpreter  and  found  we  had  different  tribes  on  board  and  the 
tribes  were  at  war.  They  never  should  have  been  put  on  board 
on  this  account.     Next  morning  we  proceeded  to  sea. 

When  we  were  well  out  of  the  harbor,  we  reached  a  large  is- 
land, and  the  pilot  begged  to  be  allowed  to  leave  ^he  ship  as  he 
didn't  want  to  go  by  that  island,  because  he  said  the  biggest  devil 
in  China  was  on  that  island.  I  let  the  superstitious  pilot  leave 
at  once.     As  I  passed  by  I  didn't  see  either  devils  or  inhabitants. 

When  the  Chinamen  came  to  get  dinner  there  was  another  gen- 
eral fight,  so  that  we  had  to  interfere  and  separate  them.  This 
continued  every  time  they  came  for  their  meals;  the  place  was 
built  up  separate  from  the  cook's  galley. 

I  soon  had  things  arranged  so  that  when  their  meals  were 
ready,  before  they  were  called  for  it  I  had  a  guard,  consisting  of 
one  mate  and  two  sailors.  Through  this  precaution  we  had  no 
more  fighting  at  meals. 

About  the  second  or  third  morning  out  it  was  rainy  and  driz- 
zling. I  had  a  bridge  made  from  the  temporary  house  that  was 
put  on  to  the  forward  house,  perhaps  some  eighteen  or  twenty 
feet,  so  that  I  could  go  from  the  after  to  the  forward  part  of  the 
ship  without  going  on  deck  at  all.  This  rainy  morning  I  had 
come  on  deck,  and  walked  over  the  top  of  the  houses  on  to  the 
bridge.  They  were  through  washing  the  decks  down,  and  one 
sailor  was  sweeping  the  water  out  to  let  it  run  out  of  the  scup- 
pers. As  a  Chinaman  came  along  he  slapped  him  with  the  wet 
corn  broom.  I  jumped  from  the  bridge  and  had  that  sailor  by 
the  cellar  much  to  his  surprise.  I  reproved  him  and  told  him 
his  offense  could  not  be  repeated,  for  it  was  from  these  Chinamen 
I  received  the  money  and  paid  his  wages,  and  they  must  be  prop- 
erly treated. 

My  interpreter  must  have  overheard  and  repeated  it  to  the 
Chinamen,  for  he  afterwards  told  me  how  pleased  they  were. 

Now  we  had  things  arranged  so  that  they  ate  without  fight- 
ing and  everything  was  quiet.  But  one  pleasant  forenoon  the 
chief  mate  came  and  said,  "They  are  fighting  between  decks,  and 
I  fear  they  will  kill  one  another." 

I  went  to  the  main  hatch  at  once  where  there  were  wide  steps 
to  go  down,  and  went  down  a  few  steps,  so  that  I  could  look  in. 
There  seemed  to  be  a  general  battle.  Billets  of  wood,  earthen 
pots,  anything  they  could  lay  their  hands  on,  were  flying  about. 
One  Chinaman  near  the  bottom  of  the  steps,  was  reaching  over 


104 

another  one,  and  beating  a  Chinaman  with  a  billet  of  wood.     It 
was  not  safe  to  go  down  among  them.     I  said  to  the  chief  mate 
^^Give  me  your  hand.^' 

He  did  and  I  said,  "i^ow  mind  you  don't  let  go." 

I  went  down  a  few  steps  further,  reached  over  one  or  two  Chin- 
amen and  caught  hold  of  the  pig-tail  of  the  man  who  was  beat- 
ing the  other  with  the  billet  of  wood,  and  wound  it  two  or  three 
times  around  my  hand.  It  was  doubtless  a  surprise  to  him  since 
he  did  not  know  I  was  anywhere  around.  I  said  to  the  mate 
"Haul  quick,'^  and  the  Chinaman  soon  discovered  that  something 
had  him.  I  expect  he  thought  it  was  a  Chinese  devil  till  he 
reached  the  deck  and  could  see. 

My  interpreter  stood  there,  as  usual  when  needed,  and  I  said  to 
take  the  man  clean  aft  of  the  after  house.  The  second  mate  and 
one  man  led  him  off.  I  soon  followed  with  my  interpreter.  I 
told  him  to  sit  down  on  deck. 

"These  men  are  going  to  stay  with  you,  and  if  you  attempt 
to  get  away  you  may  be  hurt." 

He  promised  through  the  interpreter  that  he  would  not. 

Then  I  returned  'tween  decks.  Everything  seemed  quiet.  This 
time  I  had  no  fear  of  going  down.  I  told  them  that  I  was  there 
to  see  how  many,  and  how  much  they  were  hurt.  The  first  one  I 
found  was  the  one  this  Chinaman  was  beating  with  a  piece  of 
wood.  He  was  ordered  on  deck.  A  few  others  who  were  slightly 
wounded  also,  and  all  were  taken  aft  to  the  forward  part  of  the 
cabin. 

The  Chinamen  -^ere  not  allowed  in  all  parts  of  the  ship.  A 
line  was  stretched  across  the  deck,  and  they  could  not  pass  it. 
After  a  few  days  the  line  was  taken  away,  as  was  the  case  this 
morning.  But  when  we  had  the  prisoner  and  wounded  China-- 
man aft,  the  line  was  again  put  up. 

I  put  the  wounded  Chinaman  on  a  stool,  steward  brought  water 
and  sponge,  and  I  washed  the  blood  off,  and  found  one  very  bad 
wound  over  the  eye  and  other  minor  ones  on  the  head.  I  went 
to  the  medicine  chest  and  got  plaster,  needle  and  thread,  bor- 
rowed Mrs.  Webster's  scissors  and  sewed  up  the  bad  wound,  draw- 
ing it  together.  Then  cut  away  the  hair  from  his  other  wounds, 
and  drew  them  together  with  sticking  plaster,  and  said  that  wa^ 
all  I  could  do,  and  he  would  soon  be  all  right.  The  others  were 
easily  treated  with  sticking  plaster. 

While  this  was  going  on,  the  other  Chinamen  came  aft  as  far 
as  they  could  to  the  line,  and  watched  operations. 

The  wounded  ones  were  told  to  leave,  and  they  were  soon  the 
other  side  of  the  rope.     I  went  to  the  cabin  to  wash  and  get  rid 


105 

of  the  Chinese  blood  on  my  hands,  then  went  aft  to  the  prisoner. 
lie  said  that  if  I  would  let  him  go  without  punishment  there 
should  be  no  more  fighting  aboard  ship.  After  some  talk  and 
i'dv'ce  I  let  him  go.  As  he  promised  there  was  no  more  fighting, 
and  everything  was  pleasant  until  we  arrived.  When  my  ship 
left  San  Francisco  for  Hong  Kong  she  had  her  full  number  of 
passengers  and,  although  there  was  another  ship  on  for  Hong 
Kong,  she  had  very  few  till  mine  had  the  whole  number  she 
cou]d  carry  engaged.  I  believe  this  was  owing  to  the  reports  of 
the  Chinamen  who  came  from  Hong  Kong,  who  acted  as  brokers 
for  m}'^  ship  among  the  other  Chinamen. 

I  sold  the  watercasks  I  bought  in  Melbourne  for  more  than 
enough  to  pay  for  the  lumber  I  had  bought  before  going  to 
Melbourne.  So  ends  my  speculation  with  the  lumber, — more 
than  paid  for  it  in  Melbourne, — more  than  paid  for  it  in  Hong 
Kong,  more  than  received  first  cost  by  sale  of  watercasks. 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 
AT  kodiak;    my  return  home,  and  life  on  shore. 

The  Hong  Kong  business  being  a  little  slack,  I  made  a  voyage 
up  to  the  island  of  Kodiak.  Took  a  cargo  of  ice  here  for  San 
Francisco,  most  of  the  cakes  more  than  two  feet  thick.  It  was 
here  our  boy  George  died  after  a  sickness  of  three  days.  Very 
few  here  could  speak  English.  I  had  a  doctor  who  was  a  sur- 
geon in  the  Kussian  army.  As  he  could  not  speak  English  he 
had  his  assistant,  and  when  he  left  the  ship  he  left  the  assistant, 
so  that  one  of  them  was  with  him  constantly.  We  feel  as  though 
everything  was  done  for  him  that  could  be  done.  He  realized 
his  sickness,  took  leave  of  us  all,  even  of  his  dog  of  which  he  was 
very  fond.  When  the  dog  put  his  head  up  to  him  over  the  edge 
of  the  bed  he  put  his  hand  on  his  head  arid  said  "Good-by,  Jip." 

He  said  to  me,  "Tell  me  you  won't  leave  me  up  here.'^  I  prom- 
ised I  would  not.  When  the  time  came  he  died  peacefully,  con- 
scious to  the  last.  I  kept  him  on  board  my  ship  twenty-one 
days,  stored  away  between  decks  in  the  ice.  When  we  arrived  at 
San  Francisco  had  him  embalmed'  and  put  in  a  lead  coffin,  and  to 
make  doubly  sure,  filled  it  with  liquor  and  put  it  into  a  box. 

One  Captain  Frank  Delano  of  Bath,  an  accquaintance  of  mine 
and  friend  of  George,  took  him  round  Cape  Horn  to  New  York 
for  me,  and  he  now  lies  in  Evergreen  Cemetery. 

After  I  arrived  in  San  Francisco  from  Kodiak,  loaded  ship 
for  Hong  Kong,  and  put  the  chief  mate,  David  Pratt  of  Yar- 
mouth, in  command.  I  came  home  down  to  Panama  in  a 
steamer,  crossed  the  Isthmus  taking  steamer  at  Aspinwall  for 
New  York.     There  was  no  overland  railroad. 

After  my  return  I  bought  fifteen  thirty-seconds  more  of  the 
ship.  I  then  owned  all  but  one  sixteenth.  She  made  one 
voyage  to  China  and  then  I  sold  her  for  more  than  double  what 
1  paid  for  my  part  eight  months  before. 

While  I  was  in  command  of  her,  she  made  dividends  enough 
to  pay  the  debt  of  sixteen  thousand  dollars  and  about  as  much 
as  she  cost  when  new.  This  was  in  1864.  In  this  year  J.  ended 
my  life  as  master  mariner. 

On  my  return  went  to  my  house  in  Yarmouth,  just  at  dusk,  and 
found  a  good  fire  in  the  dining  room  and  the  table  set  for  supper. 
It  was  nearly  three  years  before  this  that  we  got  up  from  the 


>    J  3   > 

'c  »  « 

3    3    3    3 


• 

3  3  3    3 

3  3    3    3 

3 

O 

i?    3  3 

3    ^ 


3  3  3   3 
3  3  3    3 


•333 


3    3    3    3 


> 

^ 


107 

breakfast  table,  leaving  the  table  set,  fire  burning,  and  took 
train  for  Baltimore.  This  was  not  the  same  fire  we  found  on 
our  return  nor  the  same  food  on  the  table,  but  my  wife's  sister 
had  opened  the  house  and  made  everything  ready  to  receive  us. 

In  February,  1864,  I  bought  the  house  where  I  now  live,  296 
Spring  Street,  and  sold  all  my  property  in  Yarmouth  at  auction, 
moving  here  the  30th  day  of  March,  1864. 

In  the  fall  of  1864  I  contracted  to  have  a  brig  built  for  me  in 
Yarmouth.  In  January  I  was  going  out  on  the  car,  and  fell  in 
with  an  acquaintance  William  Chase,  a  West  India  merchant  of 
Portland.  He  had  loaded  vessels  for  me  for  the  West  Indies  a 
number  of  times,  so  I  thought  I  knew  him  well. 

I  said,  "I  am  going  to  build  a  vessel  this  winter  of  about  four 
hundred  fifty  tons.  I  want  you  to  load  her  in  the  spring  for 
Cuba." 

He  agreed  to  do  it,  and  asked  "What  time  will  she  be  done?" 

"I'll  bring  her  to  Portland  the  second  day  of  April,  and  I  con- 
sider that  you  have  chartered  her." 

"Yes,  if  you  get  her  to  Portland  at  that  time.  How  far  along 
is  she  ?" 

"The  men  are  in  the  woods  cutting  her  frame." 

He  rather  smiled  at  the  idea  that  I  would  be  ready  to  build  her 
and  get  her  to  Portland  that  time. 

On  the  first  day  of  April  I  went  into  Mr.  Chase's  counting- 
room  and  asked  him  where  he  wanted  the  vessel  I  chartered  him 
in  January  to  lay. 
He  asked  "Have  you  built  a  vessel  since  we  talked  in  January  ?" 

"Yes,  and  I  shall  bring  her  to  Portland  to-morrow,  on  the 
second  day  of  April  as  I  agreed." 

He  told  me  where  to  put  her  on  Widgery's  wharf. 

About  three  o'clock  I  came  down  in  the  brig  towed  by  a  tug- 
boat. As  we  came  to  the  wharf  I  leaped  over  to  take  the  fast. 
Mr.  Chase  was  there  and- said,  "I  have  come  down  to  see  what 
kind  of  a  looking  thing  you  have  built  in  ninety  days." 

I  said,  "I  am  very  anxious  for  you  to  give  me  the  cargo  so  I 
may  load  her  quickly  for  I  want  to  get  her  to  Cuba  early  enough 
for  return  cargo." 

He  said  he  would  give  to  us  as  fast  as  we  could  take  it  in. 

I  engaged  a  mate,  wrote  to  New  York  for  the  man  that  I  had 
engaged  to  go  master,  and  who  was  then  mate.  I  think  he  ar- 
rived Friday.  The  next  Monday  morning  the  cargo  was  all  in 
except  a  deck-load  of  hogsheads,  and  I  had  told  them  how  many 
liogsheads  we  would  take  so  they  could  make  out  the  bill  of  lad- 
ing. 


108     . 

I  took  the  Captain,  named  Walter  Swett,  of  Falmouth,  to  Mr. 
Chase's  counting-room,  and  asked  if  the  bills  of  lading  were 
ready.  He  gave  them  to  me  and  I  looked  them  over,  took  them 
to  Mr.  Chase,  and  said, 

"Mr.  Chase,  is  this  the  customary  rate  of  freight  now?" 

"Yes,  it  is  full  rate." 

I  handed  them  to  the  Captain,  and  told  him  to  sign  them. 

Mr.  Chase  said,  "When  will  the  brig  sail  ?" 

"Three  o'clock  this  afternoon." 

"Why,  you  haven't  the  deck-load,  have  you  ?" 

"Xo,  but  I  will  have  it  on." 

I  returned  to  the  brig,  and  the  stevedores  were  putting  the 
deck-load  on,  riggers  bending  the  sails,  water-boat  along  side 
putting  in  water,  and  two  carpenters  on  board  iinishing  up  some 
little  jobs. 

The  first  thing  after  dinner,  the  deck-load  all  being  on,  I  told 
the  rigger  that  we  must  get  her  to  the  end  of  the  wharf  and  have 
some  sails  set  by  three  o'clock.  I  went  to  the  Custom  House 
with  the  Captain,  then  to  the  Spanish  Consul  for  a  bill  of  health, 
and  (Jrove  down  to  the  vessel  in  my  wagon  with  the  Captain  be- 
fore three  o'clock.  The  stevedores  had  just  about  finished  lash- 
ing the  deck-load'  down,  the  riggers  had  sail  on  the  vessel,  and  I 
said  to  the  Captain, — 
.  "Now  you  can  go  aboard  and  be  off  at  once." 

The  stevedores  jumped  ashore,  the  riggers  and  carpenters  fol- 
lowed suit.  We  cast  off  the  fast  and  she  sailed  away  with  a  fine 
northwest  wind. 

One  of  the  carpenters  who  came  ashore  was  John  Coombs 
from  Yarmouth.  He  commenced  work  on  her  at  the  very  be- 
ginning and  when  he  left  her  and  she  left  the  wharf  he  had  just 
made  cut  ninety  days. 

Before  this  I  had  sold  some  of  this  vessel  to  my  friends:  one 
sixteenth  to  William  E.  Gould,  cashier  First  National  Bank, 
Portland,  and  named  her  Emma  for  his  wife. 

This  vessel  was  most  of  the  time  in  the  West  India  business, 
with  also  a  few  voyages  to  Buenos  Ayres,  and  when  she  was 
twenty-four  years  old,  was  condemned  and  sold'  in  Mobile. 
When  1  wound  up  her  affairs,  it  showed  that  she  had  been  quite 
a  prosperous  vessel.     This  vessel  was  ended  in  April,  1888. 

I  began  another  one  immediately  of  a  little  less  than  five  hun- 
d'red  tons.  She  was  finished,  loaded  and  away  in  November  for 
Cuba.  Sold  one  thirty-second  to  a  young  man  named  Captain 
Frank  White,  a  temperate,  capable  man,  and  quite  a  driver.  He 
made  quite  a  number  of  successful  voyages  to  Cuba,  Europe  and 


109 

Buenos  Ayres.  She  continued  a  fortunate  vessel,  by  name 
Agenora,  till  1876  and  was  then  commanded  by  a  young  man 
named  Samuel  Seabury  of  Yarmouth.  She  left  New  York 
bound  to  Cuba,  and  never  arrived. 

In  1878  I  began  another  larger  vessel,  and  called  it  the  Charles 
Fobes.  She  was  launched  in  September,  loaded  and  sailed  for 
Buenos  Ayres  in  command  of  Captain  Walter  Swett  of  Falmouth, 
formerly  master  of  the  Emma.     He  owned  one  thirty-second. 

She  continued  in  the  Atlantic  trade  for  about  seven  years. 
Then  she  went  long  voyages  to  East  Indies,  Australia,  and  New 
Zealand.  She  made  one  passage  to  New  Zealand  in  ninety- 
three  d'ays,  the  quickest  passage  I  have  ever  had  made,  although 
I  have  had  five  vessels  in  that  trade  and  this  was  the  dullest 
sailing  one  of  all. 

On  a  passage  to  Callao,  off  Cape  Horn,  she  was  somewhat 
damaged,  and  put  into  Falkland  Islands.  Her  bills  of  repairing 
were  not  only  very  high  but  dishonest.  Captain  put  a  bot- 
tomry bond  upon  the  vessel  for  the  whole  amount  bearing  thirty- 
five  per  cent  interest.  We  didn't  choose  to  pay  the  bottomry,  and 
she  was  sold  by  the  United  States  marshal  to  pay  the  debt.  She 
ended  showing  a  very  good  record. 

The  next  vessel  built  was  the  bark  Itonus  about  eight  hun- 
dred tons,  begun  in  1869.  In  September,  of  1870,  she  was 
Jaunched  all  rigged,  went  to  Boston  and  loaded  for  Liverpool  in 
command  of  Captain  A.  W.  Smart,  formerly  master  of  brig 
Emma.  He  owned  a  small  piece  of  her.  Captain  Smart  made 
a  number  of  successful  voyages ;  I  think  he  remained  in  her  some 
four  years.  Then  Captain  George  M.  Buckman  of  Falmouth 
took  coijimand.  She  continued  making  successful  voyages  und'er 
Captain  Buckman  for  several  years ;  then  he  left  her  for  a  voyage 
and  the  mate.  Captain  Storer,  had  command  and  made  a  success- 
ful voyage  to  Australia  and  around  the  world.  Captain  Buck- 
man  wishing  to  stay  at  home  another  voyage  Captain  Storer  re- 
mained in  her.  He  sailed  for  Australia  then  for  West  Coast 
South  America,  loaded  nitrate  for  New  York,  and  never  arrived. 

Captain  Storer  was  a  smart  driving  man,  and  we  always  sup- 
posed he  came  in  collision  with  an  iceberg.  He  had  his  wife  with 
him,  having  been  married  about  two  years.  Not  one  escaped  to 
explain  the  disaster.  This  was  a  very  nice  vessel  and  had  made 
a  great  deal  of  money  for  her  owners.  I  owned  a  large  part  and 
was  not  fully  insured. 

In  1871  I  began  a  large  bark.  She  was  launched,  finished,  and 
went  to  Boston  to  load  for  Liverpool.  Her  name  was  George  A. 
Wright.     Nine  days  out  of  Boston  the  Captain  left  her  with  his 


no 

wife,  two  children,  and  the  chief  mate,  leaving  all  the  rest  on- 
board, it  being  just  at  dark,  and  they  having  but  one  boat  left, 
and  that  boat  disabled,  by  something  falling  from  aloft  on  her. 
The  fishing  schooner  that  picked  up  the  Captain  and  his  family 
from  the  boat  they  left  the  ship  in,  lay  by,  and  in  the  morning 
took  the  rest  of  the  crew.  The  bark  was  in  as  good  a  condition 
as  she  was  when  the  Captain  left  her.  There  was  little  water  in 
her,  and  I  think  I  might  say  she  was  in  quite  good  condition  ex- 
cept for  loss  of  fore  topmast,  that  the  Captain  had  cut  away. 
This  vessel  was  in  charge  of  Captain  Joseph  Brooks  of  Portland, 
•c  man  of  much  experience  and  called  a  good  sailor,  but  he  had 
never  been  in  a  vessel  load'ed  with  grain.  I  have  little  doubt  that 
he  was  frightened  and  the  vessel  ought  not  to  have  been  aban- 
doned. I  was  not  fully  insured  on  this  vessel  and  my  loss  was 
over  seven  thousand  dollars. 

Before  I  built  the  George  A.  Wright  I  had  built  in  Bath  in 
1873  and  1874  the  bark  B.  Webster  and  bark  H.  J.  Libby.  The 
B.  Webster  sailed  from  Portland  bound  to  Buenos  Avres  in 
charge  of  Captain  A.  W.  Smart.  He  continued  master  until  he 
left  her  to  go  master  of  Itonus.  This  vessel  cost  us  less  than 
thirty-eight  thousand  dollars.  The  first  year  she  paid  her  owners 
sixteen  thousand  three  hundred  dollars.  She  continued  to  be 
profitable  mostly  in  the  East  Indian,  Australian,  and  West  Coast 
of  Chili  trade,  and  I  sold  her  in  Callao  in  June  1896,  at  a  very 
good  price.     Her  history  was  good. 

The  H.  J.  Libby  was  six  months  older,  built  on  same  model, 
mostly  in  the  same  trade,  was  run  on  shore  near  Fire  Island, 
Long  Island,  New  York,  by  an  incompetent  Captain.  The  ves- 
bcl  and  cargo  were  a  total  loss,  but  though  she  ended  her  life  in 
this  way,  still  she  had  been  quite  a  profitable  vessel  to  the  own- 
ers. 

The  bark  Onaway  was  built  in  1883,  nine  hundred  ninety- 
three  tons  and  a  first  class  vessel  in  every  respect.  She  loaded 
m  Boston  and  sailed  for  Australia  in  October  1883.  She  cost  on 
leaving  Boston,  metalled  high,  advance  wages,  provisions  and 
everything  paid  after  she  discharged  her  pilot,  $57,260.  First 
dividend  April  14,  1884,  was  $6,432.  The  last  dividend  was 
January  12,  1900,  was  $3,200.  All  the  dividends  she  has  made 
amount  to  $103,926,  and  I  expect  to  hear  of  her  arrival  in 
Lahaina,  Sandwich  Islands  daily.  This  vessel  I  had  built  as  all 
the  others  before;  I  started  them  alone,  so  that  when  they  were 
finished  and  went  to  sea  I  had  let  my  friends  have  small  pieces, . 
and  reserved  for  mvself  from  one  fourth  to  two  thirds.  This 
vessel  I  retain  fifteen  thirty-seconds  of. 


Ill 

The  bark  Grace  Deering  was  seven  hundred  thirty  tons. 
September  18,  1884,  I  bought  twenty-eight  thirty-seconds,  pay- 
ing at  the  rate  of  sixteen  thousand  for  the  whole  vessel.  Sept- 
ember, 1899,  have  received  dividends  of  $60,724.  She  is  now  in  ' 
New  York,  just  returned  from  a  voyage  around  the  world.  I 
own  forty-three  sixty-fourths  of  her.  She  has  been  quite  a  for- 
tunate vessel  since  I  bought  and  took  the  management  of  her, — 
all  the  time  employed  on  long  voyages.  She  has  made  safe 
passages  without  any  losses. 

The  brig  Mary  C.  Mariner  a  little  less  than  three  hundred  tons. 
1  bought  a  large  piece  and  took  the  management.  She  paid  her 
cost  every  two  years  for  six  years ;  then  I  took  her  to  Yarmouth 
new  topped  her,  all  new  wire  rigging  and  mostly  new  stern  and 
made  a  first  rate  vessel  of  her  at  a  cost  of  about  seven  thousand. 
She  ran  about  six  years.  While  I  managed  her  she  was  quite  a 
profitable  vessel  and  was  called  by  some  "Webster's  School  Ship'' 
on  account  of  changing  so  many  Captains  from  her  into  larger 
ships.  I  think  the  number  was  six  or  eight.  On  a  passage  from 
Jamaica  to  New  York,  put  into  Key  West,  was  condemned  and 
fcold ;  thus  ending  a  life  of  great  usefulness,  as  many  young  men 
would  testify  who  owed  their  advance  in  life  to  her. 

I  bought  a  large  piece  of  the  bark  Hiero  and  took  the  man- 
agement of  her  in  oder  to  get  one  of  my  neighbors  Captain  John 
Davis  in  command  of  her, — a  man  of  long  experience  and  an 
excellent  sailor. 

She  loaded  with  grain  in  New  York  for  Waterford  in  Ireland. 
Nine  days  out  of  New  York  the  pumps  were  choked  by  the  grain 
getting  to  them  and  the  vessel  was  abandoned.  This  vessel  was 
lost  wholly  on  account  of  the  cargo  not  being  properly  loaded, 
and  dunnaged  as  it  should  have  been. 

The  underwriters  refused  to  pay.  Their  ground  was  that  she 
was  not  properly  fitted  for  the  cargo.  We  sued  three  offices,  and 
trial  lasted  three  days.  The  jury  disagreed.  We  had  seven  out 
of  the  twelve.  Entered  at  once  for  a  new  trial.  A  few  months 
after  compromised  the  case  and  took  seventy-five  cents  on  a  dol- 
lar. In  the  meantime  two  offices  had  failed.  They  had  quite  a 
sum  on  her.     This  was  a  big  loss  for  me. 

I  bought  a  large  piece  of  the  Giles  Loring  and  took  the  man- 
agement. This  vessel  did  well  for  quite  a  number  of  years,  and 
made  money.  Then  she  loaded  for  West  Coast  of  Africa.  The 
Captain's  conduct  there  was  such  that  he  became  sick  and  died. 
The  mate  was  incompetent  to  take  charge. 

The  vessel  discharged  her  cargo  at  quite  a  number  of  different 
ports,  and  loaded  for  Marseilles  in  France.     We  had  another 


112 

vessel  there  and  took  her  mate  to  be  master  of  Giles  Loring.  The 
vessel  went  to  sea;  some  six  or  eight  days  after  put  back.  She 
discharged  some  of  the  cargo  and  was  sold  at  public  auction,  for 
Jess  than  half  that  it  was  invoiced  for. 

This  was  bought  back  by  the  agent  for  the  owners.  Some 
was  shipped  by  steamer  to  Marseilles.  A  small  part  of  the  cargo 
was  damaged',  and  was  sold  for  the  benefit  of  whom  it  might  con- 
cern. I  fully  believe  it  was  arranged  between  the  Captain  and 
this  agent  for  the  vessel's  return  and  for  the  rest  of  the  episode,-- 
to  get  the  insurance  on  the  damaged  cargo  to  buy  back  a  large 
part  for  less  than  half  its  value. 

Then  the  owners  of  the  cargo  belonging  in  London  sued  the 
owners  of  the  vessel  for  the  loss  on  the  cargo,  and  recove];ed, 
wholly  against  any  cases  of  the  kind  on  record.  I  well  remember 
when  my  chance  came  to  go  on  the  stand,  that  my  lawyer  put  all 
questions  to  me  that  he  liked,  then  the  lawyer  for  the  plaintiff 
began  a  thorough  cross-examination.  He  asked  me  a  number 
of  questions  that  I  couldn't  answer ;  one  in  particular  he  seemed 
determined  to  have  answered.     I  answered  that  I  couldn't  tell. 

He  said,  "Tell  me  what  you  think." 

I  turned  to  the  Judge: — "Will  your  Honor  allow  me  to  tell 
him  what  I  think?" 

"Yes,  tell  him  what  you  think." 

I  turned  to  the  lawyer  and  said,  "As  you  force  me  to  tell  you 
what  I  think,  I'll  do  so.  They  bought  back  a  large  part  of  this 
cargo  for  less  than  half  its  value,  sent  it  forward  to  be  sold  in 
Marseilles  at  a  very  large  profit.  Then  they  collected  from  the 
underwriters  and  received  pay  for  all  the  damaged  cargo." 

The  lawyer  said  "Stop,  stop." 

I  went  on — "And  now  they  sue  us, — 

The  lawyer  said  "Didli't  I  tell  you  to  stop  ?" 

"To  get  pay  for  it  the  third  time." 

The  lawyer  repeated  "Didn't  I  tell  you  to  stop  ?" 

"You  told  me  to  tell  you  what  I  thought,  and  I've  done,  and 
I  fully  believe  it  is  all  true." 

So  this  vessel  wound  up  with  a  big  loss  at  the  end. 

I  then  bought  over  half  of  the  ship  Bertha  and  managed  her. 
She  made  quite  a  number  of  Atlantic  voyages.  East  Indies, 
Japan,  Manilla,  and  two  voyages  to  Buenos  Ayres.  The  last 
time  from  Buenos  Ayres  she  returned  by  the  way  of  Turk's 
Island  loaded  with  salt  for  Boston,  but  never  arrived.  We  never 
had  any  news  from  the  vessel  or  any  of  the  crew. 

After  I  bought  into  this  vessel  she  paid  her  owners  well.  The 
last  voyage,  the  Captain  remitted  his  freight  from  Buenos  Ayres. 


113 

I  knew  that  when  this  vessel  reached  Boston  she  must  be  remet- 
alled.  I  kept  back  one  thousand  dollars  of  the  remittance  from 
Buenos  Ay  res,  and  made  a  dividend  of  the  balance.  After  I 
was  satisfied  that  this  vessel  would  never  be  heard  from,  she  was 
so  much  overdue,  I  made  a  dividend  of  all  the  money  in  my 
hands.  I  had  quite  an  amount  insured  on  her  freight.  After  a 
reasonable  time  the  insurance  offices  paid  it.  I  made  another 
dividend  to  the  owners  of  a  part  of  it,  keeping  back  quite  a  sum 
in  case  any  of  the  heirs  of  the  sailors  should  make  a  claim  for 
wages.  After  a  reasonable  time,  being  satisfied  that  no  such 
contingency  would'  arise,  I  made  another  dividend,  making 
three  dividends  after  she  was  lost. 

There  was  an  old  gentleman  named  Loring  of  North  Yar- 
mouth for  whom  I  had  much  regard, — a  farmer;  he  said  that 
"This  vessel  beat  all  that  he  ever  heard  of.  She  made  dividends 
of tener  after  she  was  lost  than  she  did  before." 

There  is  no  more  about  this  vessel  except  that  she  was  a  good 
piece  of  property  for  me. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

VESSELS  THAT  I  HAVE  HAD  BUILT,  HAVE  BOUGHT  INTO,  AND 
MANAGED  ;  AND  CAPTAINS  THAT  HAVE  COM- 
MANDED THEM.   LOSSES. 

I  give  here  the  names  of  the  vessels  that  I  have  built,  bought 
into,  and  managed.  I  will  give  a  statement  of  their  Captajns 
later. 

Brig  Levant,  the  first  new  vesisel  that  I  commanded.  I 
owned  three-eighths  of  her.  When  new  left  Portland  over  nine- 
teen hundred  dollars  in  debt.  In  less  that  two  years  paid  the 
debt  and  bought  me  the  first  chronometer  I  ever  owned  at  a  cost 
of  two  hundred  fifty-three  dollars.  After  sailing  her  six  years, 
put  a  man  named  John  Mann  from  Freeport  in  command.  She 
was  lost  in  the  Western  Islands.     Crew  saved,  no  insurance. 

Bark  Agenora,  I  had  built  at  Yarmouth.  Mr.  J.  Baker  and  I 
built  her  in  equal  parts.  After  she  was  all  completed  I  bought 
one  sixteenth  of  him,  leaving  him  seven  sixteenths  and  me  nine 
sixteenths.  I  left  this  vessel  in  less  than  three  years,  put  my 
mate  in  command. 

Ship  Pumgustuck,  Ship  Helios,  Brig  Agenora  (second  of  the 
name)  Ship  J.  Baker,  Bark  B.  Webster,  Bark  H.  J.  Libby,  Bark 
Charles  Fobes,  Bark  Itonus,  Bark  George  A.  Wright,  Bark 
Onaway,  Brig  Emma.  / 

All  the  above  I  built. 

Bought  into: — Brig  Giles  Loring,  Brig  M.  C.  Mariner,  Ship 
Bertha,  Bark  Grace  Deering,  Bark  Hiero. 

The  vessels  I  have  commanded  are : — Schooner  Isaac  Jackson, 
-  Schooner  Julianne,  Brig  Levant,  Bark  Agenora,  Ship  Pumgus- 
tuck, Ship  Helios. 

I  will  give  a  list  of  the  different  men  I  have  assisted  to  be 
Captains  up  to  March,  1890. 

Isaac  Skillins,  mate  with  me  in  the  bark  Agenora,  joined  in 
1847  when  she  was  new.  In  less  than  three  years  I  gave  him 
command  of  the  same  vessel ;  a  very  smart,  driving,  honest,  tem- 
perate man,  died  years  ago  at  Bath. 

John  Mann  received  command  of  the  brig  Levant  when  I  left 
her.     I  wish  I'd  never  seen  him.     Died  years  ago. 

Darius  Pratt  took  command  of  the  ship  Pumgustuck  when  I 
left  her;  himself,  wife,  and  son  were  lost  in  the  steamer  Arctic 


115 

on  a  passage  from  Liverpool.  He  was  a  capable  smart  man,  a 
great  driver,  and'  made  quick  passages ;  understood  business  well. 
He  was  a  great  loss  to  his  sisters,  and  to  me  as  a  business  man. 

Joseph  Mitchell  took  command  of  the  ship  Helios  when  she  was 
new ;  a  very  clever  and  trusty  man.  Died  off  Cape  Good  H9pe 
on  a  passage  to  Calcutta. 

Cartney,  mate  of  the  ship  Helios ;  took  command  when  Captain 
Mitchell  died.  He  went  master  for  about  four  years,  out  in  the 
East,  Calcutta,  Sydney,  Hong  Kong,  and  Valparaiso,  South 
America.  He  was  a  smart  man  but  not  honest.  He  was  re- 
.moved  from  the  command  of  the  Helios.  He  was  washed  over- 
board, finallv,  and  drowned.  Let  all  his  'dishonest  works  die  with 
him. 

Walter  Swett  took  command  of  the  Emma  when  she  was  new, 
and  then  of  the  bark  Charles  Forbes ;  a  capable  saving  man,  at- 
tentive to  business ;  now  living  on  his  fine  place  in  Falmouth. 

Frank  White  took  command  of  the  Agenora  when  she  was  new. 
He  was  a  temperate,  honest,  capable  man,  and  made  very  quick 
voyages.     He  is  now  a  merchant  in  Portland. 

Durgin  took  command  of  the  Mary  C.  Mariner  when  I  bought 
into  her;  he  died  from  a  wound  received  from  a  sailor. 

Charles  H.  Buckman  took  command  of  the  Mary  C.  Mariner; 
afterward  of  the  bark  H.  J.  Libby.  He  was  a  steady,  capable, 
temperate  man,  now  interested  in  Fairbanks  Scales. 

William  Allen  made  master  of  ship  J.  BaJ^er  when  she  was  new. 
He  was  well  qualified  for  master.  Later  in  life  had  command 
of  an  English  ship.  He  sailed  for  Quebec  from  England  and 
never  was  heard  from. 

Captain  ]\rarcellus  Low  took  command  of  the  brig  M.  C.  Mar- 
iner then  of  the  bark  Charles  F^es.  He  remained  by  her  seven, 
years,  then  left  on  account  of  bad  health.  He  remained 
home  awhile  then  took  command  of  the  brig  Giles  Loring.  He 
died  on  the  passage  from  Cuba  to  Boston.  He  was  an  A  1  Ship 
Master  in  every  respect.  His  wife,  a  daughter  of  the  Hon. 
Ephriam  Sturdivant  was  with  him  in  the  Charles  Forbes  and  in 
the  Giles  Loring  when  her  husband  died.  She  was  a  smart  in- 
telligent woman,  well  posted  in  affairs  on  shipboard;  it  was  an 
advantage  to  the  owners  to  have  her  with  her  husband.  She 
lives  at  Cumberland  on  the  place  where  she  was  born, — the 
Ephraim  Sturdivant  place.  Her  life  is  a  pattern  for  younger 
women  to  follow. 

George  M.  Buckman  was  second  mate  of  the  bark  B.  Webster 
when  she  was  new  in  1873,  for  one  voyage.  Then  was  mate  of 
brig  Emma  for  a  number  of  years.     Then  was  master  of  the 


116 

same  vessel ;  then  master  of  bark  I  tonus.  He  was  in  her  a  num- 
ber of  years  and  made  long  voyages, — to  Australia  and  the  West 
Coast  of  Chili.  Eemained  at  home  one  voyage,  and  the  mate 
took  charge.  He  was  a  steady,  temperate  man,  attentive  to  ves- 
sel's business  in  all  things ;- — minding  his  own  affairs  and  never 
meddling  with  any  one's  else.  He  is  now  at  home  at  Falmouth 
with  his  two  sons. 

Fred  Crickett  started  mate  of  bark  H.  J.  Libby  in  1873. 
After  a  few  years,  promoted  to  be  master  of  Agenora,  then  to 
command  of  ship  Bertha.  He  made  two  Atlantic  voyages,  and 
quite  a  number  of  long  voyages  to  East  Indies,  Australia,  Japan, 
and  Manilla.  He  went  then  to  the  Onaway  in  which  he  made 
many  long  voyages.  He  left  her  much  against  my  wishes.  He 
has  a  very  nice  home  in  Cumberland  Center.  He  is  married  and 
has  three  daughters.  For  the  last  four  years  he  has  remained 
ashore,  and  has  gone  to  New  York  in  my  interests  when  my  ves- 
sels arrive  there.  I  well  remember  our  first  acquaintance.  I 
had  the  H.  J.  Libby  loaded  for  Buenos  Ayres ;  one  morning  after 
a  heavy  snow  storm  I  was  down  superintending  the  men  who  were 
shovelling  snow.  A  man  waded  down  through  the  snow  and 
came  on  board  and  asked  me  if  I  were  Captain  Webster.  I  re- 
plied "Yes." 

"Do  you  want  a  mate  for  this  bark  ?" 

"Yes.'' 

"I  should  like  the  situation." 

I  asked  what  vessel  he  had  been  in,  and  how  long  he  had  been 
in  Portland.  He  said  he  had  arrived  the  evening  before  from 
Boston.  I  asked  many  questions,  at  the  same  time  studying 
his   countenance. 

I  asked  how  long  before  he  could  arrange  to  join  the  ship,  and 
he  replied  "One  hour." 

"And  then  can  you  tend  to  my  business  ?" 

"Yes." 

In  our  long  acquaintance  I  believe  that  he  has  striven  to  carry 
cut  what  he  said  at  that  time,  and  I  feel  that  the  acquaintance 
made  that  morning  has  been  an  advantage  to  both  him  and  my- 
self. 

H.  P.  Prince  started  out  mate  of  the  Emma,  promoted  to  mas- 
ter of  the  Agenora  then  to  the  bark  B.  Webster.  In  the  latter 
a,  number  of  years  mostly  on  long  voyages.  Then  to  bark  Ona- 
way for  one  voyage.  He  was  a  very  clever  capable  man.  He  was 
representative  to  the  Legislature  two  terms.  He  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1899.  He  was  a  great  loss  to  his  family  and  many  friends. 
His  life  was  an  example  for  men  to  follow. 


117 

Patterson  was  master  of  the  Mary  C.  Mariner,  but  left  on  ac- 
count of  his  health.  I  haven't  heard  from  him  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  think  he  must  be  dead. 

Samuel  Seabury  began  as  a  boy  in  '73  on  board  bark  B.  Web- 
ster, and  remained  there  until  he  was  mate,  then  was  mate  of  the 
new  bark  George  A.  Wright,  then  promoted  to  command  of  the 
Agenora.  He  made  a  number  of  voyages  to  Europe.  He  sailed 
from  New  York  to  Cuba  and  never  was  heard  from.  He  was  a 
temperate  clever  man  of  much  promise. 

Walls  was  master  of  the  Agenora  but  for  a  few  voyages.  He 
then  took  command  of  another  vessel  for  other  parties.  The 
vessel  was  lost  at  sea  and  no  one  escaped. 

Joseph  H.  Brooks  took  command  of  the  Agenora  then  was 
promoted  to  the  George  A.  Wright  when  new.  He  loaded  in 
Boston  with  grain  for  Liverpool.  This  fine  vessel  was  aban- 
doned nine  days  out  of  Boston. 

Mumford  was  commander  of  brig  Emma  for  a  few  voyages, 
then  took  command  of  a  vessel  owned  by  other  parties.  The 
vessel  and  Captain  were  lost  on  the  West  Coast  of  Ireland. 

E.  H.  Pray  was  master  of  the  brig  Emma  for  one  voyage,  then 
of  brig  Mary  C.  Mariner,  then  of  B.  Webster.  The  vessel  was 
sold  in  Callao.  He  now  is  in  the  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor,  New 
York.  I  hope  he  will  soon  be  out  and  able  to  take  command  of 
the  .vessel  in  which  he  owns  and  of  which  he  has  been  Master  on 
her  return  to  New  York.  I  let  him  have  money  to  buy  into 
this  vessel.  He  is  over  sixty,  and  it  seems  hard  for  him  to  go 
to  sea  at  that  age. 

Dole  was  Master  of  Mary  C.  Mariner  for  a  number  of  voyages. 
He  has  been  ashore  for  a  number  of  years  and  lives  at  South 
Portland. 

A.  W.  Pratt  in  1873  received  money  from  me  to  come  home 
from  California.  He  went  on  board  bark  H.  J.  Libby  as  a  ship 
boy.  He  remained  by  her  a  long  time,  then  was  made  mate  of 
the  brig  Emma,  then  mate  of  ship  Bertha,  then  promoted  to  be 
master  of  bark  H.  J.  Libby, — the  same  one  in  which  he  began  as 
a  boy.  He  was  afterwards  Master  of  the  Grace  Deering,  then 
made  one  voyage  in  the  Onaway.  He  left  seafaring  of  his  own 
volition.     He  was  a  smart  driving  man. 

John  A.  Meech  was  mate  of  bark  B.  Webster  for  several  years. 
Afterward  Master  of  bark  Grace  Deering.  He  is  now  Master  of 
the  bark  Onaway.  I  think  him  well  worthy  of  the  position  he 
occupies. 

S.  P.  Drinkwater  was  Master  of  the  bark  Grace  Deering.  He 
has  made  two  voyages  round  the  world, — one  to  Australia  and 


118 

Singapore,  and  is  now  home  on  a  visit.  The  vessel  is  in  New 
York.  I  believe  him  to  be  strictly  honest  and  temperate,  and  a 
man  alert  for  the  owners'  interests. 

Charles  Richardson  started  second  mate  of  the  B.  Webster 
when  new  in  1873.  He  then  was  first  mate  of  Mar}'  C.  Mariner. 
Then  Master  of  brig  Emma,  then  of  bark  H.  J.  Libby.  He  made 
a  number  of  long  voyages  in  this  vessel.  He  was  a  smart  driv- 
ing man.     I  haven't  heard  from  him  for  several  years. 

John  Davis,  of  bark  Hiero.  He  was  only  in  her  a  short  time, 
then  abandoned  her  on  passage  from  New  York  to  Waterford  in 
Ireland.  He  was  a  man  of  much  experience.  Died  in  Yar- 
mouth. 

Bradford  Joined  bark  Charles  Fobes  as  mate,  then  promoted 
to  be  Master  of  the  same  vessel.  He  abandoned  her  on'  the 
Northeast  part  of  Georges  bound  to  Portland.  She  was  picked 
up  by  fishermen  and  brought  into  Halifax  in  good  order.  I 
haven't  seen  Bradford  for  many  years. 

John  Titcomb  was  mate  of  bark  Charles  Fobes  and  brig 
Agenora,  afterwards  Master  of  brig  M.  C.  Mariner 

Smith,  mate  of  the  barks  Esther  and  Charles  Fobes,  Master 
of  M.  C.  Mariner. 

.  Hoglan  was  a  boy  on  board  the  Esther.  Later  was  second 
mate,  and  mate  of  Emma,  then  Master  of  Emma,  died  of  yellow 
fever. 

Wanton  Storer,  mate  of  bark  Itonus  a  number  of  voyages  then 
Master  of  the  same  vessel.  On  his  second  voyage  round  the  world 
was  never  heard  from. 

R.  M,  Tapley,  Master  of  bark  Onaway  for  one  voyage. 
Je'dd  F.  Pray,  mate  of  bark  B.  Webster,  afterwards  Master  of 
H.  J.  Libbv.     He    ran  her    ashore  on  Long   Island  near    Fire 
Island,  and  she  was  a  total  loss. 

Losses  I  have  had  in  different  ways  from  my  twenty-first  year. 
First  money  I  earned  after  twenty-one  put  in  savings  bank. 
After  a  number  of  years  thev  paid  a  percentage, 

and  I  lost,  '  $80.00 

While  I  was  mate  and  Master  of  schooner  Isaac  Jackson  $440.00 
The  brig  Levant  lost  at  Western  Islands,  $3000.00 

The  bark  Agenora  lost  at  sea,  $5800.00 

Pumgustuck  lost  at  sea,  $5444.00 

Bark  Hiero  abandoned  at  sea,  $1500.00 

Ship  Helios  totally  dismasted,  $2000.00 

George  A.  Wright  abandoned  at  sea  by  Captain's  being 

frightened,  $7000.00 

Cotton  mill  at  Yarmouth,  $15000.00 


119 


Different  Oil  Companies, 

Gold  Mines  in  California, 

Brig  Giles  Loring  lost  in  Africa, 

Schooner  Belle  Crowell  capsized  at  sea, 

Two  stern  wheel  steamers. 

Bark  H.  J.  Libby, 

Ship  J.  Baker, 

Guptill   and   Lyman,   failure, 

Charles  H.  Dodge, 

Helping  negro  through  college, 

Brig  Anna  M.  Knight  went  ashore  on  Abycos, 

Schooner  commanded  by  Captain  Durgin, 

Schooner  Seabird, 

Ocean  Insurance  Company, 

One  Soule  and  J.  B.  Blethen, 

Taken  from  my  pocket. 

Gold  mines. 


$2850.00 

$600.00 

$2500.00 

$400.00 

$1370.00 

$1500.00 

$2500.00 

$3370    00 

$78.00 

$31.00 

$255.00 

$200.00 

$200.00 

$7500.00 

$200.00 

$500.00 

$300.00 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

CONCLUSION. 

I  think  that  now  this  history  might  as  well  be  brought  to  a 
close.  It  is  thirty-six  years  since  I  left  the  command  of  Ship 
Helios  at  San  Francisco  and  came  home  and  bought  fifteen 
thirty-seconds  of  her.  I  bought  this  home  where  I  have  lived 
over  thirty-five  years.  I  own  a  fine  summer  residence  at  Cush- 
ing's  Island  where  I  have  spent  a  number  of  summers. 

My  wife  enjoyed  it  very  much.  She  died  very  suddenly  March 
16,  1896,  fifty-one  years  and  two  months  from  our  marriage 
to  her  death. 

She  was  a  very  lovely  and  Christian  woman.  In  this  fifty-one 
years  and  two  months  she  never  spoke  an  angry  word  to  me. 
1  never  knew  her  to  slander  or  speak  ill  of  any  one.  If  she  was 
told  any  slander  she  never  repeated  it  to  others.  She  died 
quietly  and  peacefully  without  a  word  or  struggle. 

I  would  like  to  add  a  journal,  some  of  it  written  fifty-five 
years  ago,  by  my  wife  during  the  voyages  in  which  she  accom- 
panied me  at  sea.  It  is  fragmentary  and  imperfect,  some  of  the 
pages  missing  and  much  of  it  without  'dates.  It  has  been  laid 
awav  for  manv  vears,  and  was  discovered  after  her  death.  In 
fond  memory  of  her  who  wrote  it,  and  because  of  the  great  inter- 
est of  the  journal  itself,  it  becomes  a  pride  and  a  pleasure  to  all 
who  belonged  to  her  to  preserve  it  in  print. 


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DIAEY  OF  MBS.  BENJAMIN  WEBSTER. 

Boston,  November  9th,  1845. 

Since  I  last  wrote  anything  I  have  been  at  home  and  have 
found  my  friends  vv^ell.  I  called  all  around  and  then  went  to 
Portland  where  I  stopped  a  few  days.  I  then  came  to  Boston 
on  the  31st  of  October  and  boarded'  at  Mr.  Fogg's  until  yesterday, 
when  I  came  on  board  and  here  I  expect  to  stay  for  a  long  time 
to  come.  No  particular  change  has  taken  place  since  I  left  ex- 
cepting a  new  mate  and  a  gentleman  passenger — I  hope  that  we 
shall  enjoy  ourselves  and  indeed  I  think  we  shall  for  we  can  pvit 
confidence  in  Mr.  Chandler,  which  is  more  than  we  have  in 
any  mate  we  have  had  since  I  Joined  the  brig.  Since  I  have  been 
here  I  have  visited  Bunker  Hill  monument,  the  State  House  and 
the  glass  works.  The  last  I  was  much  pleased  with.  It  was 
really  curious  to  see  the  men  work  the  melted  glass  with  as  much 
apparent  ease  as  I  would  work  molasses  candy.  I  saw  them 
make  tumblers,  smelling  bottles,  curtain  pin  heads,  etc. 

Thursday  13.  We  are  now  three  days  out  with  a  fair  wind, 
which  will  carry  us  to  Havana  in  a  short  time  if  it  is  continued 
to  us  the  same. 

The  second  day  out  several  little  birds  came  to  us  for  protect- 
ion. Mr.  Chandler  caught  one  and  gave  it  to  me.  B  made 
a  cage  for  it  and'  sat  it  upon  the  stove,  and  a  short  time  after- 
ward accidentally  knocked'  it  down,  and  the  poor  little  bird  died 
soon  after  either  from  the  fall  or  fright.  The  brig  has  been  cut- 
ting up  her  capers  as  usual  when  we  have  a  strong  breeze,  such 
as  throwing  down  the  chairs,  upsetting  the  dishes  and  making 
every  possible  noise  that  can  be  imagined,  and  with  everything 
else  the  passenger  and  myself  were  quite  seasick,  which  was 
nothing  more  than  I  expected.  He — the  passenger  is  an  en- 
tirely green  sailor  and  I  am  bound  to  be  sick  when  we  have 
rough  weather;  but  now  we  are  quite  smart  again,  and  I  have 
made  one  shirt  since  we  sailed  and  to-day  have  set  up  a  stocking. 

The  Captain  and  mate  and  all  hand's  are  very  busy  doing  ship 
duty,  such  as  sending  up  the  royal  yard — splicing  the  top-lifts 
and  last  night  there  was  a  studdingsail  yard  made  directly  over 
my  head  by  moonlight.       Oh  dear  ! 

Sunday  16.  We  are  half-way  to  Havana  and  if  the  wind 
continues  to  favor  us  as  it  has  done,  we  shall  make  a  quick  pas- 
sage.    As  usual  Sunday  is  rather  a  'dtill  day  we  have  no  variety 


122 

to  distinguish  that  from  any  other  excepting  that  the  men  are 
idle.  It  is  a  ver}^  rare  thing  to  see  one  of  them  with  a  book, — very 
likely  not  one  on  board  (of  the  men  forward)  knows  how  to  read 
or  even  write  his  own  name.  Poor  io^norant  set,  thev  live  a  life 
of  toil  and  hardship ;  they  truly  earn  their  money  and  it  is  easily 
spent  as  soon  as  they  get  ashore.     Such  is  the  sailor. 

Sunda}^  23,  just  2  o'clock.  We  are  now  anchored  on  the 
Bahama  banks  with  several  ships  in.  company  with  us ;  it  is  rather 
discouraging  to  lie  here  with  a  head  wind',  however  hope  that  we 
shall  be  able  to  start  to-night.  The  passenger  and  men  are  busy 
trying  to  catch  fish.  Mr.  Chandler  is  reading  his  Bible.  Ben- 
jamin is  asleeji  coiled  up  in  the  berth  and  Jack  the  dog  is  trotting 
about  deck.  So  the  day  will  pass  away  with  nothing  to  interest 
excepiing  a  few  old  newspapers  which  I  have  read  and  reread 
several  times  over.  When  I  have  nothing  else  to  do  I  read  the 
advertisements  and  perhaps  find  a  farm  for  sale,  so  I  muse  upon 
that,  thinking  how  it  would  suit  my  taste  to  be  a  farmer's  wife. 
But  these  illusions  vanish  when  Benjamin  winds  up  the  conver- 
sation with  "I  always  expect  to  go  to  sea." 

Thursdav,  2?.  Here  we  are  safe  in  Havana.  We  arrived 
yesterday,  and  now  are  safe  at  the  wharf ;  and  such  a  noise  and 
confusion  I  never  heard  before.  The  half-naked  negroes  are  un- 
loading the  vessel  and  they  sing  to  their  utmost  power.  And 
such  singing !  I  hope  that  I  shall  go  ashore  to-day  for  I  have 
considerable  curiosity  to  see  the  city  of  which  I  have  so  often 
heard. 

Saturday,  19th.  I  have  been  ashore  and  have  seen  the  city, 
and  I  can  sincerely  say  that  I  never  have  been  in  any  place  that  I 
was  so  much  pleased  with.  There  is  a  vast  deal  to  attract  one's 
attention.  Their  carriages  are  very  different  from  what  I  have 
been  used  to  seeing;  their  wheels  are  enormously  large,  and  the 
bodv  is  set  a  long  wav  forward.  The  arms  are  verv  long  and 
the  drivers  sit  on  the  horse  with  boots  which  extend  half  way 
up  their  bodies  and  they  are  dressed  in  livery.  From  their  ap- 
pearance I  should  judge  that  they  felt  very  grand'.  As  we  passed 
their  carriage  stand  one  of  them  stepped  up  to  us  and  pointed  out 
his  carriage  and  evinced  by  his  gestures  his  great  desire  that  we 
should  avail  ourselves  of  his  offer.  We  however  declined  as  I 
much  preferred  walking  to  riding ;  and  as  I  wished  to  see  all  that 
could  be  seen ;  at  night  they  take  their  carriages  into  their  dwel- 
lings. 

The  ladies  were  most  of  them  very  prettily  dressed  and  I  saw 
many  of  them  looking  through  the  iron  grated  windows.  Their 
flowing  white  dresses,  bright  sparkling  eyes  and  jet  black  hair 


123 

were  enough  almost  to  captivate  one.  I  have  never  seen  the 
Spanish  beauties  before  and  should  judge  from  what  little  I  have 
seen  that  their  charms  have  not  been  exaggerated. 

The  shops  are  fitted  up  in  a  most  gorgeous  style;  everything 
appears  to  be  placed  in  Just  the  right  position  to  show  to  the 
greatest  possible  advantage.  Their  dwelling  houses  kre  very 
large  and  some  of  them  very  splendid,  mostly  built  of  stone.  I 
should  judge  that  they  were  costly.  I  think  that  the  city  must 
be  very  rich.  I  suppose  that  they  knew  me  to  be  a  foreigner  for 
I  was  never  gazed  at  so  before  in  my  life.  The  Governor's  palace 
is  a  very  large  building,  painted  light  blue  with  turrets  around 
the  top  arid  a  splendid  yard  with  a  fountain  in  front.  The  walks 
as  well  as  the  floors  are  marble  and  I  observed  that  the  most  of 
the  floors  were  of  the  same  material  all  laid  in  squares  or  dia- 
monds and  of  various  colors.  I  never  saw  the  like  before,  they 
are  splendid.  I  saw  an  elegant  bird  bright  red  and  black,  I 
did  not  know  what  it  was. 

Tuesday,  December  2d.  Last  eve  went  ashore  and  walked 
through  the  governor's  yard  before  his  palace,  saw  the  guard  of 
soldiers  stationed  before  his  door;  they  guard  his  door  day  and 
night.  Visited  a  confectionery  store  where  things  were  done  up 
in  quite  good  style,  equal  to  New  York  with  the  exception  of  the 
very  dirty  tile  floors.  I  partook  of  an  ice  cream  which  was  very 
nice  for  the  West  Indies.  I  saw  tlie  monument  which  was 
erected  in  memory  of  Christopher  Columbus'  first  landing  place. 
His  remains  are  in  this  place.  I  have  not  been  in  the  church 
where  he  lies  yet.     Tlie  })ulpit  is  erected  directly  over  his  bones. 

Wednesday  evening.  Have  been  promenading  before  the  gov- 
ernor's^ door  and  heard  some  most  "d'eliglitful  music.  Was  in- 
troduced to  a  Captain  Trim  and  a  supercargo  whom  I  should 
think  was  quite  an  exquisite  if  I  were  to  judge  from  his  large 
gold  shirt  studs,  the  circumference  of  which,  I  presume,  would 
equal  that  of  a  quarter  of  a  dollar,  and  a  most  scientific  bow  upon 
our  introduction  and  a  breath  strongly  perfumed  with  brandy — 
surely  he  must  be  one  of  the  first  water. 

Thursday,  4th.  This  morning  set  sail  for  TvTew  Orleans  and 
watched  the  city  of  Havana  nutil  there  was  but  the  dim  outline 
of  the  place  to  be  seen  at  the  edge  of  the  horizon,  then  took  my 
last  look  of  the  Moro  probably  forever,  then  went  to  the  cabin 
and  resigned  myself  to  seasickness  again  until  we  reached  the 
broad  and  beautiful  Mississippi. 

Monday,  8th,  morn.  We  are  now  sailing  up  the  Mississippi 
with  a  fine  breeze  and  going  at  the  rate  of  five  miles  per  hour 
and  hope  soon  to  be  at  the  city  of  New  Orleans.     The  banks  look 


124, 

green  and  beautiful  although  it  is  now  December  and  in  our  own 
state  probably  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow  and  merrily  go 
the  bells. 

Tuesday,  9th,  morn.  Here  we  safely  tied  up  to  a  tree  on  the 
bank  of  the  Mississippi;  last  night  at  12  o'clock,  the  wind  died 
away  and  left  us  in  a  stark  calm  after  getting  nearly  half  way 
to  the  city.  This  morning  the  fog  is  so  dense  that  we  can 
scarcely  see  the  length  of  the  vessel  so  we  shall  be  obliged  to  re- 
main tied  until  a  breeze  comes.  An  hour  ago  I  heard  a  man 
talking  to  our  steward  and  inquiring  for  Irish  potatoes.  I 
should  like  much  to  make  an  exchange  with  him  for  some  sweet 
ones.  Afternoon: — A  shower  of  rain  which  makes  it  necessary 
for  us  to  tie  up  again  after  being  loose  only  about  two  hours ; — 
quite  a  strong  wind  which  will  help  us  along  if  we  can  onlv  use 
it. 

Friday,  12th.  Not  at  Orleans  yet;  head  wind  and  foggy 
weather — almost  discouraged  about  its  clearing  off.  However 
we  have  changed  our  situation  since  Tuesday  and  now  instead 
of  being  tied  to  a  tree  we  are  tied  to  a  log  by  the  river.  Our 
passenger  sits  almost  frozen  by  the  stove.  Mr.  Chandler  is  man- 
ufacturing a  spittoon  notwithstanding  his  lameness.  Benjamin 
is  sitting  in  the  rocking  chair  eating  an  apple  looking  rather 
sober.  The  men  are  varnishing  the  mast  and  the  steward  getting 
supper,  so  we  are  all  employed  in  some  way  that  is  useful.  I 
neglected  to  mention  that  before  we  left  Havana  Mr.  Chandler 
fell  into  the  brig's  hold  and  sprained  his  ankle  very  badly  and 
he  is  still  obliged  to  go  about  on  crutches.  When  I  heard  him 
fall  I  expected  that  he  was  killed,  but  fortunate  he  surely  was  to 
come  off  as  well  as  he  did. 

Saturday,  13th.  Still  foggy  and  we  shall  not  be  able  to  sail  an 
inch  until  the  wind  changes.  The  tow  boats  are  continually 
passing  us  with  as  many  as  they  can  pull  along,  and  such  puffing 
and  blowing  we  never  hear  at  the  north.  I  must  now  commence 
sewing  and  confine  myself  steadily  to  it  if  I  wish  to  accomplish 
much  this  day.     . 

Sunday,  14th.  Rain,  rain,  nothing  but  fog  and  rain  for  a 
whole  week  I  I  am  alone  with  the  exception  of  Jack  the  dog 
who  sits  quietly  by  the  stove  gnawing  lazily  a  bone.  B  is  "un- 
dergoing" (as  Mr.  Chandler  expresses  it)  another  nap  in  the 
berth  and  as  for  myself  I  have  been  reading  the  Bible  and  a  lit- 
tle in  several  other  books.  We  had  a  Dutch  Captain  to  dine 
with  us  upon  roast  pig. 

Monday,  15th.  Rose  this  morning  at  7  o'clock  after  sleeping 
most  profoundly  for  ten  hours.     The  sun  shone  out  in  all  his 


125 

splendor  and  cleared  the  misty  and  foggy  clouds  away  and  now 
the  air  is  exhilarating  and  cool  enough  for  comfort  although  it 
is  the  middle  of  December.  During  the  night  the  wind  came 
fair  and  accordingly  we  pulled  up  stakes  and  started,  but  had 
not  gone  more  than  two  miles  when  the  wind  was  ahead  again. 
So  we  anchored  for  the  night  and  it  is  still  there  this  morning. 
The  men  are  busy  painting  the  vessel.  The  cook  is  preparing 
dinner,  Mr.  Simons  is  walking  leisurely  around  and  I  am  mak- 
ing a  shirt  for  B. 

Tuesday,  16th.  Nothing  new  excepting  that  we  have  moved 
a  few  miles  farther  up  the  river  and  it  is  a  stark  calm. 

Friday,  19th.  We  have  at  last  succeeded  in  getting  up  the 
river  as  far  as  we  wish  for  the  present,  and  I  suppose  we  shall 
lie  here  until  we  get  a  leak  stopped  in  the  brig.  It  is  a  beautiful 
bright  sunshiny  day  and  ever^^thing  looks  brisk  and  lively. 
B.  has  gone  to  the  city,  and  I  have  had  quite  a  lonely  day  of  it. 

Sunday,  21st.  Dined  at  Mr.  Eobinson's  to-day,  then  crossed 
the  ferry  and  took  a  walk  over  the  Queen  of  the  West  as  some 
style  it  but  did  not  see  anything  very  remakable.  I  visited  the 
Hospital.  I  saw  Mr.  Chandler  who  went  a  few  days  ago  to  see 
if  the  doctor  there  coul'd  not  do  something  for  his  foot.  But  they 
think  there  is  nothing  excepting  a  sprain  the  matter  with  it  so 
he  thinks  that  he  shall  come  on  board  the  brig  again  soon.  I  do 
not  have  a  very  good  opinion  of  the  Marine  Hospital  in  this  place 
and  do  not  think  that  the  patients  have  much  attention. 

Monday,  2 2d.  Have  been  employed  writing  home  to-day,  then 
paced  the  deck  for  an  hour  to  sun  myself.  It  has  been  exceed- 
ingly cold  for  this  place,  as  yesterday,  ice  made  all  day  in  the 
shade,  and  some  one  at  Mr.  Eobinson's  observed  that  he  saw  ice 
an  inch  and  a  half  thick.  The  Ohio  river  is  frozen  over  so  hard 
that  it  is  impassable,  and  the  produce  cannot  be  brought  from 
the  western  country.  Business  will  be  stagnated  until  ttiat  opens. 
The  Sabbath  is  not  much  regarded  here,  the  shops  are  open  and 
I  saw  a  blacksmith  at  his  work  and  a  large  crowd  of  people 
collected  around  an  engine  to  see  to  what  height  they  could  throw 
water.  It  appears  to  be  a  day  of  amusement  more  than  the 
sacred  Sabbath.  Probably  we  shall  remain  here  some  time  as 
business  is  so  dull. 

Thursday,  25^  Christmas.  We  dined  at  Mr.  Eobinson's  to-day 
and  had  a  dinner  of  oyster  soup,  roast  duck  and  turkey  salad, 
mince  pie,  wine,  etc.,  etc., — a  very  good  dinner.  I  enjoyed  my- 
self very  well. 

Saturday,  the  27th.  The  brig  is  hove  down  to-day.  Accord- 
ingly I  was  obliged  to  leave  her  for  the  day  and  stop  at  a  public 


126 

house.  The  landlady  was  an  English  lady  and  she  related  to 
me  a  tale  of  the  woes  which  had  befallen  her  since  she  came  to 
this  country.  I  lent  a  listening  ear.  "I  left  Liverpool,"  she 
says,  'Vith  such  a  family  as  every  mother's  heart  would  be  jDroud 
of,  two  sons  and  two  daughters ;  but  ere  two  months  had  passed 
away  three  out  of  the  four  were  lifeless  corpses.  Thank  God 
I  have  one  son  left !  My  grief  was  such  that  for  four  months 
I  could  not  leave  my  bed.  I  could  not  be  reconciled  to  the  loss 
of  my  darlings.  Oh,  if  one  daughter  could  only  have  been 
spared  to  love  her  mother,  but  no,  Stern  Death,  that  relentless 
'destroyer,  took  them  both,  and  almost  tore  my  bleeding  heart 
from  my  bosom;  and  now  although  twelve  years  have  flown  by 
my  grief  is  stil  here  at  my  heart.  I  am  not  what  I  once  was, 
ray  memory  is  almost  destroyed.  I  shall  soon  be  in  my  resting 
place.  My  greatest  wish  now  is  to  be  laid  beside  their  moulder- 
ing dust." 

Such  was  her  tale. 

Sunday,  28th.  Although  it  is  Sunday  the  laborers  are  at  work 
all  around  us  and  making  as  much  noise  as  though  it  was  any 
other  day.  The  day  is  not  regarded  at  all  by  most  of  the  labor- 
ers. 

Monday,  30th.  Spent  the  day  at  Mrs.  Steams'.  She  enter- 
tained me  with  a  variety  of  interesting  narratives,  and  if  I  may 
be  allowed  to  judge  after  so  short  acquaintance  I  should  say  that 
I  found  her  to  be  a  very  entertaining  lady.  She  says  that  in 
London  where  she  was  brought  up  a  gentleman  of  high  birth  and 
elegant  figure  was  united  to  a  lady  of  rank  with  an  exceedingly 
beautiful  countenance.  The  wedding  was  splendid — beauty, 
wealth,  youth  and  the  warm  caresses  of  a  vast  number  of  friends 
rendered  the  occasion  one  of  the  most  joyous  ever  celebrated. 
They  were  united,  then  went  to  their  place  of  abode  in  which  was 
everything  that  the  heart  coul'd  wish  or  the  eye  desire.  Five 
days  did  this  bride  spend  in  her  splendid  abode  and  on  the  sixth 
in  her  husband's  absence  she  ordered  the  coachman  to  drive  her  to 
her  mother,  whose  residence  was  about  five  miles  distant.  She  or- 
dered him  not  to  reveal  to  any  person  not  even  his  master  where 
she  had  gone.  At  length  the  husband  came  home  and  his  wife 
was  not  there  to  welcome  him  with  her  sweet  smiles.  He  in- 
quired of  her  servants  where  she  was  and  not  one  of  them  could 
give  any  account  of  her.  At  length  he  sent  for  the  coachman 
and  asked  him  if  he  had  driven  his  wife  out.  He  could  not 
lie  to  his  master  and  answered  in  the  affirmative  and  that  she 
had  gone  to  her  mother's.  This  somewhat  eased  his  mind  sup- 
posing that  she  would  soon  return.     He  waited  but  she  did  not 


127 

come.  He  saddled  a  horse  and  soon  arrived  at  his  mother-in- 
law's. 

When  the  lady  arrived  at  her  mother's  she  did  not  wait  as 
nsnal  for  assistance  from  her  servants,  but  with  a  wild  counte- 
nance she  ilew  up  stairs  to  the  attic  and  there  would  remain  not- 
withstanding all  her  mother's. efforts  to  the  contrary;  nor  could 
she  be  prevailed  upon  to  relate  what  was  the  cause  of  her  conduct, 
although  entreated  and  importuned  by  her  mother,  with  tears  in 
her  eye.  All  the  satisfaction  she  would  give  was  that  her  trouble 
was  of  too  delicate  a  nature  for  her  to  expose  therefore  the  secret 
must  lie  concealed  in  her  own  bosom. 

The  husband  came  and  solicited  an  interview  with  his  wife 
but  this  was  denied  him,  as  it  was  her  desire  that  upon  no  con- 
dition whatever  would  he  see  her,  and  he  was  obliged  to  return 
with  a  heavy  heart  without  the  remotest  idea  as  to  what  was  the 
cause  of  this  mysterious  conduct  of  his  adored  wife.  Thus  they 
remained  for  a  long  time ;  at  last  by  the  advice  of  his  friends  he 
sought  for  a  divorce,  the  council  was  called  and  the  parties  sum- 
moned to  make  a  public  testimony  of  their  grievances.  The  wife 
obeyed  her  summons;  every  eye  was  fixed  upon  her  as  the  judge 
handed  her  a  paper  that  she  might  write  what  she  chose.  She 
took  the  paper  and  with  one  stroke  of  her  pen  she  made  a  long 

dash  thus then  folded  the  sheet,  and  handed'  it 

to  the  judge.  There  was  perfect  silence  throughout  the  court; 
some  were  in  tears,an'd'  every  one  was  listening  with  utmost  anxie- 
ty to  hear  the  result;  when  the  judge  rose  up  and  said,  "Lady 
you  are  at  liberty  to  return  undefiled,  innocent  as  upon 
your  bridal  day.     To  the  husband  he  said,  "You  now  may  go." 

The  court  then  retired  and  it  still  remains  a  mystery  to  the 
many  but  some  understood  what  the  blank  sheet  represented. 
Reader  do  you  understand  it  ? 

One-half  past  6  o'clock  evening  January  1st,  1846.  So  the 
old  year  has  bid  us  a  long  adieu  never  more  to  return  and  with 
it  has  passed  many  a  tale  of  sorrow  as  well  as  of  joy  which 
will  remain  sealed  in  oblivion.  The  year  was  w^elcomed  in  by 
me  in  a  manner  that  I  shall  not  soon  forget.  The  day  has  been 
quite  warm  with  an  occasional  shower  and  now  the  eve  is  very 
fine  and  warm  enough  for  comfort.  Mr.  Chandler  is  now  hob- 
bling along  on  his  crutches  with  a  basket  of  wood  to  make  the 
morning  fire  with,  Benjamin  is  down  in  the  brig's  hold  scraping 
with  all  his  might  by  lamp-light  as  though  he  were  at  work  upon 
a  wager.  oSTow  all  this  appears  to  me  as  a  very  foolish  freak,  but 
he  is  bound  to  do  so.  We  were  invited  to  dine  out  to-day  but 
concluded  it  was  best  to  stay  at  home.     Capt.  Pomeroy  spent  the 


128 

afternoon  with  us.  He  is  a  very  social  man  and  is  lying  still 
without  business  like  all  the  others.  It  does  not  appear  to 
wear  upon  his  spirits  much. 

Frank  Soule,  or  Capt.  Soule  I  should  have  said,  is  nearly  ready 
to  start ;  he  will  d(^better  than  many  others,  I  suppose.  Keport 
says  that  he  is  to  be  married  when  he  returns  to  Freeport,  I  don't 
know  how  true  it  may  be. 

Sunday,  the  4th.  Went  to  the  city  and  walked  through 
the  burying-ground  where  I  saw  some  splendid  monuments 
which  have  been  built  since  I  was  here  last  spring.  One 
in  particular  I  noticed  which  was  erected  by  a  wealthy  man 
for  himself  when  his  spirit  leaves  his  tenement.  It  far 
surpasses  anything  of  the  kind  that  I  have  ever  before 
seen.  The  pillars  in  front  are  of  solid  iron,  the  walls  are 
of  brick  and  cemented  over  to  resemble  granite  and  six  marble 
slabs  are  inserted  in  the  front  which  I  suppose  are  for  some  par- 
ticular friends  as  he  has  no  children.  There  is  one  large  slab  on 
the  back  which  one  of  his  negroes  informed  us  was  for  himself 
and  the  object  of  his  lying  near  the  ground  was  that  he  might 
come  out  when  he  chose  and  go  all  around  the  monument  and 
see  the  flowers  which  are  there  planted.  Tlie  front  is  jutted  in  so 
that  it  leaves  quite  a  little  room  in  which  is  an  altar  on  which  are 
placed  six  wax  candles  beautifully  decorated  and  a  crucifix  and 
several  other  images  and  framed  pictures  of  which  I  do  not  un- 
derstand the  interpretation.  There  were  six  chairs  in  the  room 
three  on  either  side  which  gave  him  an  opportunity  to  invite  his 
visitors  to  sit  and  rest  themselves.  It  would  almost  take  away  the 
gloom  of  dying  if  one  coul'd  lie  in  such  a  beautiful  place. 

Friday,  the  9th.  Last  evening  we_  took  steam  and  left  Algiers 
and  are  now  lying  at  Lafayette.  This  morning  a  new  cook  came 
on  board  with  such  a  funn^v^  nose.  It  is  quite  large  and  flatted 
down  which  gives  it  a  very  curious  appearance.  "He  says, 
Misses,  I  am  a  stranger  here  and  want  to  know  if  there  is  any 
potatoes  on  board,"  "Oh  yes,"  said  I,  "come  down  in  the  cabin 
and  I  will  show  you  where  they  are;"  so  down  he  came  and  I 
pointed  to  the  half  deck  and  told  him  to  look  in  a  half  barrel 
and  he  would  find  some  and  that  I  had  placed  a  board  on  the 
pantry  floor  which  was  newly  painted  so  that  it  should  not  be 
tra(cked.  "Oh  yes,  I'll  take  keer,"  and  along  he  went  putting  his 
his  feet  on  the  floor  on  both  sides  of  the  board  and  to  my  horror 
I  saw  the  print  of  them  all  covered  with  mud.  So  much  for  my 
painting  and  if  he  is  not  mighty  careful  we  may  quarrel. 

I  have  been  bu^y  all  the  forenoon  scalding  my  pineapple  pre- 
serves and     have  just  made  two  mince  pies  for  dinner. 


129 

Sunday,  the  11th.  Walked  out  with  my  parasol  and  found  it 
quite  a  necessary  appendage.     It  was  quite  warm. 

Tuesday,  the  13th.  Now  we  are  ready  to  go  up  the  river  and 
shall  take  steam.  We  are  expecting  to  start  immediately.  I  just 
saw  a  boat  which  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay  was  on  board,  but  did  not 
see  his  honorable  personage. 

Wednesday  morning.  We  are  now  seventy-eight  miles  above 
New  Orleans  and  shall  stop  at  the  plantation  but  a  short  time, 
the  planter  having  informed  us  that  he  had  but  a  small  quantity 
of  molasses  for  us  so  when  we  get  all  that  he  has  we  shall  pull 
up  stakes  and  go  to  another. 

Friday,  the  16th.  Our  poor  dog  Jack  breathed  his  last  to- 
day, but  in  what  manner  1  am  wilfully  ignorant.  I  hope  that 
his  remains  were  decently  buried  and  if  I  were  to  write  his 
epitaph  it  would  be  thus. 

Beneath  this  sod  lies 

Poor  Jack 

who  embarked  on  board 

the  Brig  Levant  Kov.  1st,  1845, 

to  take  a  voyage  to  sea  while  his 

master  was  absent  a  few 
months  at  school.     His  cheerful, 
mild  and  playful  disposition  endeared 
him  to  his  circle  of  acquaintances,  but 
ere  three  months  had  elapsed  disease,  that 
relentless  destroyer,  had  seized  upon  his 
vitals  and  now  he  is  no  more. 
Reader,  pause  and  think  ! ! 
V  His  fate  may  be  thine  own. 

Saturday,  17th.  Walked  to  the  residence  of  the  planter.  It 
is  really  delightful.  There  is  a  long  walk  before  you  reach  it 
with  live  oak  all  covered  with  the  moss  which  abounds  in  this 
country,  on  each  si'd'e,  and  I  saw  the  oranges  all  around  upon  the 
the  ground,  but  they  were  sour,  not  fit  to  eat. 

Sunday,  the  18th.  As  there  is  no  church  near  we  must  still 
stay  at  our  usual  place  on  board  the  Levant.  We  have  a  gentle- 
man caller  and  I  will  stop. 

Monday,  the  19th.  This  day,  twelve  month,  I  entered'  the  mat- 
rimonial state  which  united  my  fate  with  another's  and  I  have  no 
reason  to  regret  the  step  which  I  have  taken. 

Tuesday,  the  20th.  A  gentleman  from  Newport,  Rhode  Is- 
land, has  spent  the  most  of  the  day  with  me  and  he  appears  to  be 
a  very  intelligent  man. 


130 

Thursday,  the  22d.  I  have  just  returned  from  a  walk  about 
a  mile  upon  the  levee.  I  saw  an  old  slave  sitting  by  the  roadside 
with  her  knitting  work  upon  her  lap  and  her  pipe  in  her  hand 
attempting  to  fill  it  to  have  a  smoke.  So  I  sat  down  with  her 
and  amused  myself  for  a  half  hour  in  asking  her  questions. 
"What  do  you  do  ?"  said  I.  Oh,  says  she,  "I  'do  that/'  pointing 
before  her  to  a  dozen  sheep  who  were  quietly  napping  in  the 
shadow  of  a  large  tree,  "I  mind  the  sheep.'^  "Do  you  like  to  mind 
the  sheep  ?"  "Yes,  when  it  is  pleasant,  but  when  it  storms  Old 
Hannah  Manning  must  be  out  when  the  others  are  sitting  in 
their  cabins.''  "Have  you  a  husband  ?"  "No,  I  have  had  three, 
but  the  last  one  died  two  years  ago."  "Shall  you  marry  again  ?" 
"Oh  no,  not  for  all  the  vanities  of  the  world !  For  when  you  get 
a  husband  you  don't  know  what  he  is  until  you  have  tried  him, 
then  you  may  wish  that  you  had  never  seen  him."  "Do  you  go 
to  church?"  Yes;  all  the  colored  people  on  this  plantation  go 
with  the  white  people."  "Do  you  think  that  you  are  good  ?"  "T 
don't  know  that  Ma'am,  I  try  to  be."  "Was  your  husband 
good?"  "I  am  not  capable  to  tell,  Ma'am."  "Did  he  use  you 
well?"  "He  'did  not  use  me  as  well  as  he  might.  Ma'am, — If 
anybody  is  good  to  themselves  they  will  be  good  to  their  wives, 
and  then  they  will  be  sure  to  be  good  to  their  God."  "Do  you 
expect  to  go  to  heaven?"  "I  hope  so."  "Do  you  pray?"  "I 
can't  tell  that  Ma'am,  I  don't  know  as  I  ought  to  pray."  "Yes, 
you  may  pray  if  you  wish."  "Oh,  I  did  not  know  as  everybody 
might  pray."  These  with  many  other  questions  I  asked  her 
and  she  answered  very  willingly  and  I  came  away. 

Saturday.  Have  just  been  out  and  got  several  branches  of 
orange  trees  with  the  fruit  on  them  and  tied  them  up  and  hung 
them  up  in  the  cabin.     They  look  very  pretty. 

Sunday,  the  25th.  I  am  all  alone.  B  has  gone  to  Orleans. 
Mr.  Chandler  is  ashore  so  I  have  the  time  to  muse  about  matters 
and  things.  I  feel  quite  lonely  and  do  not  know  how  to  pass 
the  time  for  reading  old  books  and  old  newspapers  is  rather  dull 
music,  so  I  will  sit  very  straight  in  my  rocking  chair  and  per- 
form the  Ma'd'ame  to  perfection. 

Tuesday,  the  27th.  This  day  about  noon  B  returned  and 
brought  news  that  we  should  return  to  the  city  and  discharge 
what  molasses  we  have  on  board. 

Thursday,  the  28th.  We  now  are  going  down  the  river  by 
steam  and  we  have  a  beautiful  prospect  of  the  plantations  as 
we  pass,  some  of  which  are  really  beautiful.  Occasionally  we 
s^ee  an  old  woman  by  the  river  washing  clothes  in  a  washtub  of 


131 

nature's  own  forming  (  the  river),  and  just  now  I  saw  a  curly- 
headed  negro  child  sitting  down  and  apparently  enjoying  him- 
self. Saw  mills  are  plentiful  on  the  river  and  orange  trees  in 
abundance,  but  the  most  of  the  trees  are  sour  and  very  unpalate- 
able.  The  steamboats  pass  proudly  by,  leaving  the  river  in  a 
terrible  commotion,  and  such  a  shaking  as  they  gave  us ! 

Friday,  the  29th.  Here  we  are  at  the  wharf  again  and  I  am 
all  alone  again.  Capt.  B.  Prince  called  yesterday.  "Oh,  bless 
your  old  heart,"  he  says,  "how  glad  I  am  to  see  some  one  from 
North  Yarmouth  again." 

Saturday,  the  30th.  Almost  'discharged  again.  A  very  queer 
voyage  indeed, — and  now  we  are  bound  to  Cuba  and  shall  start  by 
the  middle  of  next  week  if  nothing  prevents.  I  have  been  quite 
busily  employed  to-day  in  drawing  an  amusement  which  I  have 
resumed  after  neglecting  it  for  a  long  time.  My  specimens  are 
now  quite  faulty,  but  I  hope  to  improve  by  practise. 

Sunday,  Feb.  8th.  At  sea  again  and  I  have  enjoyed  the  com- 
forts of  seasickness  for  two  days,  but  now  am  quite  well  again. 
Shall  soon  be  in  Cardenas  if  the  wind  continues  favorable.  Our 
passengers,  Mr.  Locklin  and  Mr.  Devine,  are  on  deck  trying  ta 
take  a  look  into  futurity  by  the  assistance  of  a  fortune  tell-er.  I 
think  that  Mr.  Locklin  has  ascertained  something  which  is  very 
soul  satisfying  by  some  remarks  which  just  dropped  from  his 
ftps.     B  is  eating  an  apple  and  I  must  have  a  bite. 

Tuesday,  the  10th.  We  are  safe  in  Cardenas  and  came  in,  too, 
without  a  pilot,  which  is  more  than  a  great  many  captains  woul'd 
dare  to  do.  It  is  delightful  weather,  the  thermometer  is  at  79 
at  9  o'clock  this  morning,  and  it  really  seems  like  a  June  morn- 
ing at  the  North.  We  lay  off  from  the  city  about  a  mile  and 
have  a  fresh  sea  breeze  every  afternoon 

Wednesday,  the  11th.  This  morning  Capt.  Everett  (the  man 
that  we  sailed  in  company  from  N.  Orleans  with),  was  on  board 
andj  I  offered  him  my  parasol  as  he  was  about  leaving,  but  he 
refused  it.     I  do  not  think  he  will  have  the  same  offer  again. 

We  have  a  French  cook  and  such  a  flying  creature  I  hardly 
ever  saw.  He  undertook  to  wash  my  stateroom  floor  this  morn- 
ing and  such  a  splashing  of  water  and  such  a  scrubbing  with  the 
brush  this  cabin  hardly  ever  before  witnessed,  and  after  he  had 
splashed  about  half  a  pailful  of  water  on  the  floor  B  came  and 
wanted  breakfast  so  he  was  obliged  to  scrabble  up  what  he  could 
and  finish  after  we  had  breakfasted,  w^hich  he  did  in  a  trice  with 
a  handled  mop.  It  is  not  half -washed  now  but  it  must  answer 
for  the  present. 


182 

Thursday,  the  12th.  A  fruit  man  came  on  board  and  gave  me 
a  dozen  oranges,  very  large  and  nice.  I  suppose  that  he  thinks 
to  buy  our  custom  while  in  port. 

Friday,  the  13th.  The  fruit  man  has  been  here  again  and  has 
given  me  a  small  box  of  guava  jelly.  The  weather  is  very  warm, 
the  men  are  loading  the  vessel  and  look  as  though  they  are  half 
roa&ted.  I  sit  the  most  of  the  time  in  a  hammock  on  deck  which 
I  enjoy  much,  I  have  not  been  ashore  yet,  but  feel  quite  im- 
patient to  go. 

Saturday,  the  14th.  Eose  this  morning  at  half  past  five 
and  went  on  deck ;  the  air  was  'damp  and  raw  so  was  obliged  to 
wrap  myself  in  a  shawl  for  comfort.  I  walked  deck  for  a  few 
moments  then  employed  myself  in  lining  a  hat  for  B  while  he 
and  the  men  had  gone  ashore  for  a  lighter  load  of  molasses.  He 
soon  returned  and  now  the  sun  has  shown  its  face  in  majestic 
glory  and  I  must  throw  my  shawl  aside  until  the  sun  shuts  its 
beams  in  deep  night. 

Sunday,  the  15th.  Have  been  ashore  and  was  much  better 
pleased  with  the  place  than  I  anticipated.  I  saw  sev- 
eral new  buildings  which  were  not  wholloy  completed,  among 
which  was  a  Catholic  church,  which  will  be  a  splendid 
church  when  finished.  The  platform  on  which  the  pulpit  and 
several  small  rooms  were,  is  of  white  marble,  as  are  also  the 
steps  which  ascend  to  them.  I  think  this  must  cost  an  immense 
sum.  We  extended  our  walk  a  short  distance  into  the  country. 
The  foliage  of  the  shrubbery  was  of  a  beautiful  green,  the  soil  of 
a  brick  color  which  made  a  contrast  which  was  truly  pleasing. 

Thursday,  the  19th.  It  is  a  warm  day  and  I  spend  my  time 
very  idly  having  but  little  else  to  'd'o  excepting  to  wash  my  hands 
which  are  soon  daubed  up  again  with  molasses.  A  person  that 
has  never  been  in  the  molasses  business  cannot  imagine  how  un- 
])leasant  it  is  to  have  everything,  even  the  chairs,  covered  with  it. 
However  this  will  soon  be  over  with. 

February  22d.  Dined  at  Mr.  Lovit's  with  about  fifty  others. 
However  there  were  but  three  other  women  excepting  myself. 
We  left  the  company  at  dark  and  came  oi>  board.  Since  I  have 
heard  that  they  spent  the  night  in  drinking  and  carousing. 
Such  are  the  cold  water  people  when  they  get  away  from    home. 

Friday,  the  27th.  I  have  just  finished  the  ninth  pair  of 
stockings  which  I  have  knit  for  B  since  we  have  been  married. 
T  like  knitting  work  when  I  am  at  sea,  it  is  very  handy  arid  serves 
CO  employ  my  mind. 

We  are  ready  to  sail  and  shall  go  to-morrow  if  the  wind  and 


133 

A^eather  permit  and  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  enjoy  a  few 
days  of  seasickness,  which  in  all  probability  will  last  more  than 
a  few.  Capt.  Everett  brought  me  a  pailful  of  oranges  this 
morning  now  there  are  but  two  left.  Cardenas  is  a  small  but 
growing  place,  there  is  one  quite  pretty  street  which  runs  through 
the  place  on  which  the  shops  are  situated.  It  is  really  amusing 
lo  see  the  dishes,  cups,  saucers,  platters  and  everything  of  the 
kind  all  displayed  for  show. 

Saturday,  the  28th.  This  morning  sailed  for  Boston  in  com- 
pany with  several  vessels,  and  as  our  vessel  is  a  very  dull  sailer 
I  suppose  that  we  shall  not  be  the  first  arrival 

Tuesday,  March  10th.  I  have  been  sick  every  day  since  we 
sailed  until  to-day.  We  are  getting  along  slowly  but  hope  to  be 
safe  there  by  next  Sunday.  If  we  do  it,  it  will  be  a  fair  passage. 
Before  leaving  Cardenas  we  purchased  some  oranges,  now  they 
are  half  rotten.  I  hope  that  we  shall  be  able  to  get  some  of 
them  home. 

Wednesday,  the  11th.  This  morning  spoke  a  pilot  boat  and 
got  a  newspaper,  a  rare  thing  to  get  news  at  sea.  It  is  very 
moderate  and  pleasant. 

Saturday,  the  14th.  Arrived  last  night  and  now  are  at  the 
wharf,  feeling  very  thankful  that  we  are  safe  at  Boston  once 
more.  We  surely  have  escaped  the  dangers  of  the  sea  while 
others  have  perished. 

Sunday  Morning,  the  15th.  Have  been  to  hear  a  Bethel  min- 
ister preach.     His  hearers  were  rather  scarce. 

Afternoon.  Heard  Father  Taylor.  Think  him  a  very  sin- 
gular preacher,  very  strange  gestures  and  ideas.  I  do  not 
thinkvhis  preaching  very  profitable  although  he  has  a  large  con- 
gregation. He  may  go  to  heaven,  but  if  so,  I  do  not  think  many 
others  surely  will. 

Monday,  the  16th.  Have  been  shopping  and  now  have  stopped 
at  Mr.  Fogg's,  where  we  shall  remain  until  we  set  sail  again  for 
St.  Jago  de  Cuba. 

Wednesday,  the  18th.  Have  heard  from  home  and  find  that 
ma.tters  and  things  move  on' the  same  old  way. 

Sunday  Evening,  the  22d.  Have  heard  a  temperance  discourse 
and  some  singing  by  Coeval  and  Cook  which  I  suppose  they  think 
excellent,  but  not  so  with  me.  Cook  opened  his  mouth  so  far 
that  I  was  really  afraid  the  top  of  his  head  would  come  off,  and 
as  for  the  lecturer,  he  ought  to  have  been  hissed  out  of  the  house. 
He  said  that  no  person  ever  knew  a  mean,  low-lived  man  to  be  a 
drunkard.     It  took  a  whole  souled,  good  feeling,  generous  man 


134 

to  make  a  drunkard,  and  surely  ar  drunkard  ought  to  be  made 
much  of.  If  any  person  in  the  world  was  entitled  to  respect,  it 
was  he. 

Monday.  Went  to  the  Museum  and  saw  the  play  "The  Six 
Degrees  of  Crime''  performed. 

Saturday,  March  28,  18-16.  Brig  Levant  bound  to  St.  Jago  de 
Cuba. 

We  are  once  more  embarked  on  a  voyage  to  the  West  In- 
dies and  whether  we  shall  ever  return  is  only  known  to  the  Ruler 
of  the  skies. 

Sunday,  the  29th.  Have  not  been  sick  yet,  which  is  something 
very  unusual  for  me.  We  have  a  new  mate  and  steward.  The 
latter  came  on  board  drunk  and  is  not  much  better  to-dav. 
He  appears  very  stupid. 

Monday,  March  30th.  Commenced  sewing  which  I  like  much 
better  than  sitting  still. 

Tuesday,  the  31st.  ■  A  fair  wind  and  the  brig  is  trotting  along 
at  her  usual  rate.     We  hope  to  make  the  passage  in  fifteen  days. 

Wednesday,  April  1st.  Have  taken  the  stove  down  and  do  not 
expect  to  need  it  again  till  next  winter.  There  is  a  decided  dif- 
ference in  the  state  of  the  weather  since  yesterday.  To-day  we 
are  in  the  gulf  which  makes  it  much  warmer  and  hope  in  a  few 
more  days  to  be  where  it  is  never  known  to  be  cold.  Feel  a  little 
sick  and  must  quit. 

Sunday,  April  5th.  We  have  had  one  continual  fair  wind 
scarcely  varying  a  point  since  we  came  out,  and  we  go  ahead 
finely  which  is  really  delightful.  We  now  are  in  Lat.  26.31, 
Long.  71.25,  and  hope  to  be  near  Turks  Island  passage  very 
soon.  It  is  now  quite  warm  enough  for  comfort,  but  I  do  oc- 
casionally cast  a  lingering  thought  to  the  cold  regions  of  the 
North,  which  we  so  lately  left,  and  imagine  the  inhabitants  half 
shivering  before  the  fire. 

Sunday  evening.  Some  of  the  brightest  meteors  exploded  that 
I  ever  witnessed.  It  lighted  up  the  heavens  much  brighter  than 
the  mid-dav  sun. 

Tuesday,  the  7th.  Spoke  brig  Florence,  Capt.  Pote,  with  loss 
of  deck  load  and  likewise  the  captain's  only  brother.  He  id 
bound  for  St.  Jago  and  we  shall  hear  the  particulars  when  we 
arrive  there.     We  are  just  leaving  Turks  Island  with  a  fair  wind. 

Thursday  the  9th.  Arrived  this  morning  after  a  passage  of 
eleven  days,  and  now  the  city  of  St.  Jago  lies  before  me  in  all  its 
glory. 

Evening.     Have  been  ashore  and  taken  a  view  of  the  city. 


135 

The  square  before  the  Governor's  house  is  finely  laid  out,  and 
it  is  beautifully  refreshing  to  walk  through  it  and  see  the  flowers 
and  bright  foliage  of  the  trees,  and  hear  the  falling  of  the  water 
from  a  marble  fountain  in  the  center,  which,  mingled  with  the 
voices  of  hundreds  which  promenade  the  walks,  and  with  the 
shouts  of  martial  music  w^hich  are  i^ealed  forth  from  a  band, 
made  me  almost  imagine  myself  in  a  fairyland.  After  walking 
and  seeing  until  my  feet  and  eyes  were  tired  we  seated  our- 
selves upon  one  of  the  seats  which  surrounded  the  square  and 
noted  the  various  shades  of  complexion  from  the  almost  ivory 
black  to  the  European  white.  The  contrast  was  truly  striking. 
After  resting  we  then  visited  the  Catholic  churches  which  were 
illuminated  with  thousands  of  lighted  wax  candles.  There  we 
saw  the  image  of  our  Savior  extended  upon  the  cross  with  the 
blood  trickling  from  his  wounds.  The  two  Marys  were  there, 
and  before  them,  upon  beautifully  tufted  mats,  were  kneeling 
the  females  muttering  audibly  their  prayers,  then  rising  to  make 
room  for  the  others  which  were  pressing  their  wa}-  through 
the  crowd  to  perform  their  vows.  The  church  was  decorated  with 
artificial  roses  of  a  hundred  hues  and  va^es  with  a  variety  of  other 
flowers  in  profuse  numbers.  I  noticed  as  we  entered  that  every 
lady  threw  her  veil  over  her  head.  I  suppose  that  it  was  wicked 
to  enter  with  an  uncovered  head.  They  wear  no  bonnets,  simply 
a  veil.  As  I  had  a  cap  on  they  made  no  objection  to  my  enter- 
ing without  a  veil.  At  the  door  sat  a  little  boy,  a  piece  of  money 
in  his  fingers  which  he  kept  constantly  dropping  in  a  glass  plate, 
which  made  quite  a  noise,  and  at  the  same  time  uttering  some- 
thing in  Spanish,  which,  upon  inquiry  I  found  to  be  "Behold  the 
Man."  .  This  ceremon}^  was  to  entice  people  to  give  something 
as  they  passed  him,  but  I  think  that  he  di'd  not  get  much  as  I 
saw  only  one  quarter  of  a  dollar  in  his  plate.  The  priests 
with  their  robes  were  walking  back  and  forth  with  not  very 
sanctified  faces,  and  should  think  they  did  not  feel  as  solemn 
as  did  their  audience.  The  altar  of  the  cathederal,  I  was  in- 
formed, is  overlaid  with  pure  silver,  and  cost  the  immense  sum 
of  seventy  thousand  dollars.  Upon  one  of  the  walls  was  a 
representation  of  hell,  in  which  were  priests  as  well  as  others, 
and  at  the  top  were  angels  of  mercy  with  cords  suspended  to 
the  bottom  for  the  poor  wretches  to  grasp  to  assist  them  out  of 
purgatory.  After  seeing  all  that  was  to  be  seen  we  then  left  the 
devotees  at  their  worship,  and  went  to  the  quay  and  stepped  in 
our  boat  and  the  sailors  pulled  to  our  vessel  home. 

Friday  Morning,  the  10th.     This  morning  Capt.  Mabee  and 


136 

la'dy  came  on  board  to  spend  the  day.  Never  saw  either  of  them 
before.  Afternoon  went  ashore  again  to  witness  some  of  the 
Catholic  performance,  which  was  the  burial  of  Christ. 

His  body  was  taken  from  the  church  and  placed  upon  pillow^s 
in  a  kind  of  a  hearse,  which  was  borne  by  slaves.  Upon  each 
corner  of  the  hearse  were  images  and  in  the  hands  of  one  was  a 
reed  with  a  sponge  on  the  end  of  it  to  represent  that  which  was 
given  to  Christ  when  he  was  crucified.  His  body  had  a  very 
ghastly,  deathly  appearance,  and  it  really  gave  me  unpleasant 
feelings  to  see  the  blood  all  mixed  with  his  hair  around  his  fore- 
head, which  had  been  pierced  with  thorns.  The  nostrils  were 
likewise  covered  with  blood,  but  the  rest  of  the  body  was  cov- 
ered with  a  beautifully  wrought  canopy,  wrought  with  silver  and 
gold.  A  long  procession  followed  his  body.  First  came  the 
twelve  Apostles  with  lighted  candles  in  their  hands;  then  the 
Monks,  or  Doctors  of  Divinitv,  with  their  cowls  and  black  silk 
garments  all  of  such  a  length  that  boys  were  employed  to  walk  at 
the  distance  of  ten  feet  behind  them  with  the  end  of  the  robes  tied 
around  their  bodies  to  keep  them  from  the  ground.  Then 
followed  the  Virgin  Mary  in  a  standing  position  upon  some- 
thing similar  to  that  in  which  Christ  was  carried.  As  we  were 
standing  and  seeing  with  all  curiosity  imaginable,  one  of  the 
priests  bustled  up  to  Benjamin  with  his  eyes  wide  open  with 
absolute  horror,  and  pointing  up  to  his ^ hat  which  he  had  on  his 
head,  said  something  in  his  language  which  meant  take  off  your 
hat,  which  B  quickly  complied  with,  fearing,  I  suppose,  that  if 
he  did  not  that  it  might  be  taken  off  without  further  ceremony. 

As  soon  as  the  Virgin  came  along  they  prostrated  themselves 
and  muttered  their  prayers.  Such  a  buzzing  as  they  made ! 
Then  followed  a  whole  regiment  of  soldiers  in  uniform  and  a 
bajid  of  music,  playing  a  solemn  tune,  but  in  the  midst  of 
their  prayers  and  music  came  a  shower  of  rain,  and  such 
a  screeching  and  scampering  I  never  before  saw;  it  was 
not  more  than  two  minutes  before  the  streets  were  entire- 
ly deserted.  However,  the  shower  was  not  of  long  dura- 
tion, and  I  suppose  that  they  soon  collected  again.  We 
then  took  ourselves  away,  and  on  our  way  back  we  made  a  call 
upon  a  Spanish  family  that  we  met.  In  the  family  was  a  very 
sociable  young  man  who  had  spent  two  years  in  New  York  and 
Boston.  He  said  he  liked  the  people  much  and  would  like  to 
spend  his  days  there. 

Sunday,  the  11th.  Calculated  to  go  and  see  the  resurrection, 
but  did  not  arrive  early  enough.  It  is  a  beautiful  morning. 
The  thermometer  stands  at  80  in  the  cabin,  but  notwithstanding 


137 

this  it  is  cool  enough  for  comfort.  Last  evening  was  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  evenings  that  can  be  imagined;  the  round,  full 
moon  made  it  almost  as  light  as  day,  and  such  a  beautiful,  clear 
air  as  we  never  have  at  the  North  made  it  truly  delightful. 

Wednesday,  the  14th.  Eose  this  morning  at  five  o'clock  and 
refreshed  mvself  with  a  salt  water  bath  then  'dressed  mvself  for 
the  day.  Our  vessel  now  lays  at  the  quay  and  the  cargo  is  com- 
ing out ;  we  shall  spend  more  than  a  week  at  this  place,  but  as  it 
is  very  healthy  I  do  not  much  regret  it,  as  it  will  give  me  a  better 
opportunity  of  seeing  more  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  the 
people. 

Friday,  the  16th.  We  are  now  ready  to  take  a  pilot  and  start 
for  Manzanillo.  The  mosquitoes  are  so  thick  that  I  cannot 
write. 

Sunday.  We  are  passing  slowly  along  the  island  of  Cuba,  and 
as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  there  is  nothing  to  be  seen  except 
one  continued  mass  of  mountains  and  deep  ravines.  Some  of 
the  highest  mountains  are  covered  with  clouds.  Among  them 
is  the  peak  of  Tarquino,  which  is  the  highest  land  that  I  have 
ever  seen. 

Monday,  the  19th.  Very  calm  and  excessively  hot  and  sultry 
with  scarcely  a  breath  of  air,  the  thermometer  standing  at  89.  At 
half  past  one  o'clock  we  saw  a  Manzanillo  pilot  boat  a  short 
distance  ahead,  and  accordingly  the  foreyard  was  backed  and 
after  some  pulling  and  hauling  the  pilot  succeeded  in  getting 
alongside  and  seizing  a  rope  which  the  mate  had  thrown  him. 
He  came  on  board  (not  until  his  boat  was  hoisted  in,  however). 
B  told  him  to  take  his  station  where  pilots  generally  do,  but  he 
appeared  very  angry  and  said  that  was  not  his  place,  so  he  has 
concluded  to  stay  forward.  Well,  'tis  no  matter  as  he  is  rather  a 
low  bred  Spaniard  and  we  do  not  wish  his  company  much. 

Wednesday,  the  21st.  Arrived  at  Manzanillo  last  evening  at 
eight  o'clock  and  anchored  a  half  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  but 
as  it  was  dark  I  could  see  nothing  of  the  place,  excepting  lights 
in  various  directions,  and  I  noticed  one  larger  and  more  brilliant 
than  the  rest,  which  the  pilot  informied  me  was  built  by  the 
soldiers. 

This  morning  I  rose  and  went  on  deck  to  take  a  view  of  Man- 
zanillo, which  is  a  very  small  town,  I  should  Judge  not  more  than 
an  hun'dted  buildings  of  quite  an  ancient  appearance.  Some  of 
the  buildings  were  painted  a  light  blue,  which  seems  to  be  a 
favorite  color  of  the  Spanish.  About  seven  o'clock  a  boat  came 
alongside  in  which  were  the  visiting  officers.  They  came  below 
and  after  looking  at  the  manifest  which  B  had  they  said  that 


138 

they  must  be  altered.  Accordingly,  B  sat  down  and  made  out  the 
new  ones  which  seemed  to  quiet  them.  One  old  man  who  saw 
me  sitting  in  the  stateroom,  said,  "You  have  a  passenger.''  B 
said  it  was  his  wife.  "Well,  she  is  the  same  as  a  passenger." 
After  some  talk  they  concluded  that  I  could  go  ashore  without 
a  passport.  I  should  have  laughed  outright  if  they  had  made 
B  get  a  passport  for  me.  They  then  took  their  leave.  B  had 
to  be  presented  to  the  governor  before  entering  the  vessel  and  T 
suppose  he  made  his  best  bow. 

Friday,  the  24th.  The  brig  is  now  discharged  and  we  have 
taken  forty  hogsheads  of  molasses,  and  shall  in  all  probability  be 
ready  to  start  for  home  again  by  the  last  of  next  week.  I  have 
not  been  ashore  yet  and  suppose  that  I  shall  not  go  till  Sunday, 
as  business  is  very  pressing. 

Saturday,  the  25th.  There  is  no  American  vessel  in  port  but 
there  is  one  coming  this  morning  and  she  is  proudly  waving  her 
ensign  in  the  breeze.  Where  ever  you  meet  with  Americans  you 
will  surely  find  them  proud  to  show  their  colors, — ^yes,  Americans 
will  not  deny  their  country  like  the  men  of  many  other  nations. 
Liberty  is  their  pride,  their  glory.     W^ho  doubts  it  ? 

Sunday,  the  26th.  A  calm,  clear  and  beautiful  morning  such 
as  we  have  at  the  North  in  July.  1  have  spent  an  hour  since 
breakfast  under  the  awning  on  deck  watching  the  scenery 
around  me.  The  swallows,  (dear  little  birds),  come  flitting 
around  our  masts  and  singing  in  the  very  joyousness  of  their 
hearts,  and  I  do  really  think  from  their  appearance  that  they 
have  some  idea  of  buikling  som<ewhere  in  the-  top,  and  of  taking 
a  passage  to  the  States  with  us.  I  should  be  delighted  if  they 
would.  Pelicans  are  very  plenty  here ;  they  rise  in  the  air  quite 
high  then  drop  their  wings,  and  dive  into  the  water  out  of  sight 
and  swallow  the  fish  without  mercy.  I  just  noticed  one  sitting 
proudly  on  the  water  and  turning  herself  majestically  around, 
v/hich  seemed  to  put  all  the  finny  tribe  at  defiance,  then  spread- 
ing her  prodigious  wings  she  would  lift  herself  gracefully  over 
the  water  until  she  found  more  prey  to  glut  her  voracious  ap- 
petite. They  come  quite  near  the  brig  but  will  fly  upon  the  least 
noise,  whch  shows  that  they  have  the  fear  of  man  about  them. 

The  men  have  been  amusing  themselves  catching  small  fish 
and  now  they  are  washing,  shaving  and  cutting  their  hair,  etc., 
etc.     I  do  not  know  what  Benjamin  and  the  mate  are  about. 

Monday.  Went  ashore  yesterday  and  after  walking  through  a 
cocoa  tree  grove,  we  took  our  way  through  the  town  and  almost 
the  first  object  that  greeted  mjy  eye  was  a  mother  sitting  at  the 
door  of  her  dwelling  caressing  her  infant  about  six  months  old. 


139 

The  child  was  as  naked'  as  when  it  was  born  with  the  exception 
of  a  string  of  gold  beads  around  its  neck.  The  mother  was 
apparently  as  fond  and  as  proud  of  her  child  as  the  American 
mother  is  of  hers.  Then  a  little  farther  on,  was  a  naked  boy, 
who,  I  should  judge,  was  four  or  five  years  old,  with  a  pair  of 
new  shoes  in  which  he  strutted  with  manly  pride.  Then  a  little 
girl  made  her  appearance  who  might  be  a  3^ear  older  than  the 
boy.  She  did  try  to  hide  her  naked  image  by  squatting  down  be- 
tween two  others  and  showing  her  wooly  head  above  the  others' 
shoulders  and  satisfying  her  curiosity  b}'  gazing  at  us  as  long  as 
she  pleased.  Such  a  head  of  hair !  It  was  about  four  inches  in 
length  and  of  the  color  of  an  old  black  sheep  which  was  much 
faded,  and  standing  erect  all  over  her  head.  Poor  child !  In  all 
probability  she  is  a  slave  for  life.  The  natives  seemed  to  think 
that  we  were  made  to  be  looked  at  as  they  gazed  until  we  met 
them  and  then  would  turn  and  look  at  us  until  we  were  out  of 
sight,  and  I  could  hear  them  say  as  we  passed  "English, — En- 
glish,^'— which  was  quite  a  mistake. 

They  apparently  make  no  differance  whether  it  is  the  Sab- 
bath or  not,  their  work  goes  on  the  same.  I  passed  a  shoe  store 
and  at  the  d'oor  sat  two  females  upon  the  ground  making  some 
beautiful  green  satin  shoes.  They  looked  up  as  we  passed  and 
made  some  remarks  in  Spanish  which  I  could  not  understand. 
The  most  of  them  are  very  slovenly  about  their  person  excepting 
when  they  walk  out.  Their  dresses  are  often  all  open  at  the 
back  and  off  both  shoulders,  leaving  their  waists  almost  naked. 
But  some  of  them  had  modesty  enough  to  haul  their  dresses  up 
arid  cover  their  shoulders  as  we  passed.  They  spend  the  most  of 
their  time  smoking  and  sleeping.  They  do  not  read  for  amuse- 
ment, no^  educate  their  females  farther  than  to  read  and  write 
and  count,  which  are  great  acquirements  for  a  Spanish  lady. 
They  dress  elegantly  when  they  appear  abroad  or  at  their  Cath- 
olic performances. 

Wednesday,  the  29th.  This  has  been  a  very  warm  day  and  we 
have  been  taking  in  palm  leaf  which  makes  8uch  a  dust  that  we 
are  obliged  to  keep  the  cabin  windows  closed.  Accordingly,  the 
air  is  ver}^  close.  I  have  spent  the  most  of  the  day  on  deck  and 
since  dinner  have  refreshed  myself  with  a  most  profound  nap 
in  the  hammock  which  I  properly  secured  last  evening  with  a 
strong  rope  as  a  preventive  against  another  fall. 

Friday,  May  1st.  And  so  this  is  May  day  at  home,  as  I  used  to 
call  it,  when  in  my  youthful  years  I  rose  at  dawn  and  scram- 
bled over  fences  and  up  hills  and  down  'dales  to  find  a  new  born 
flower,  the  first  of  the  spring,  perchance,  showing  its  modest  head 


140, 

above  a  snow  drift.  Oh,  with  what  childish  glee  did  I  grasp  the 
fragile  thing  and  well  secure  it  between  my  finger  and  thumb  and 
range  on  after  some  more.  After  rambling  the  fields  all  over  I 
would  return  home  with  my  frock  drabbled  up  to  my  knee,  and 
expect  (if  I  did  not  get)  a  severe  reprimand  from  mother.  Once 
I  well  recollect  a  plot  contrived  between  Sister  Lydia  and  M.  D. 
to  awake  us  early  in  the  morning,  which  was  a  rope  tied  to  a 
chair  which  sat  directlv  under  our  chamber  window  near  our  bed, 
and  suspended  out  of  the  window  so  that  M  could  reach  it ;  and 
such  a  shaking  as  she  did  give  it  in  the  morning ! !  We  did 
surely  awake  and  dressed  ourselves  as  quickly  as  possible  and' 
hurried  out  of  the  house  as  easily  as  possible,  fearing  that  we 
might  awake  Catherine  and  Eliza.  This  would  not  answer,  for 
we  knew  well  enough  they  would  wish  to  accompany  us,  which  we 
did  not  want.  So  we  went  a-Maying,  but  some  of  the  company 
was  not  agreeable  to  us  so  we  separated  from  them  and  spent  the 
rest  of  the  time  by  ourselves. 

May  1st.  We  are  loaded  with  the  exception  of  a  few  more 
sticks  of  mahogany  and  shall  probably  sail  to-morrow. 

Sunday,  the  3d.  At  sea  once  more.  We  are  passing  slowly  in 
the  same  track  we  came  in.  I  should  like  it  much  if  we  could 
make  as  quick  passage  home  as  we  did  out,  but  do  not  expect  it. 
It  is  now  quarter  past  five  o'clock  and  B  is  still  sleeping.  The 
mate  is  washing  deck  and  I  am  writing  this  journal. 

Monday,  the  4th.  Our  pilot  saw  fit  to  come  to  anchor  last 
night  and  accordingly  did  not  leave  till  this  morning.  It  has 
been  quite  calm  this  day  so  far,  and  we  make  but  little  progress. 
T  don't  think  of  anything  worth  recording  to-day. 

Sunday,  the  10th.  We  have  had  a  very  violent  squall  to-day 
so  that  all  of  the  sails  had  to  be  furled  excepting  the  f orespencer ; 
but  it  was  of  short  duration  and  did  no  damage  beyond  splitting 
the  jib.  I  was  shut  up  in  the  cabin  in  the  meantime  to  keep 
myself  out  of  the  rain,  and  amused  myself  by  looking  out  of  the 
window  to  see  the  men  run  and  pull  and  haul  the  ropes.  The 
poor  wretches  were  wet  through  to  the  skin,  and  indeed  some  of 
them  needed  a  good  washing  if  one  can  Judge  by  the  color  of  the 
skin. 

It  is  now  very  moderate  and  we  have  made  slow  progress 
since  we  sailed.     Last  night  we  passed  Cape  Antonio 

Saturday,  the  16th.  Such  a  night  as  last  night  was ! !  Such 
'd'eep  rolls  as  the  vessel  gave  I  never  before  witnessed.  I  was 
obliged  to  hold  on  to  my  bed  with  all  my  strength  to  keep  myself 
from  tumbling  out  on  the  floor,  and  once  was  in  the  very  act  of 
falling,  but  saved  myself  at  the  imminent  danger  of  breaking  my 


arm.  It  being  quite  warm,  B  composed  himself  to  sleep  on 
a  mattress  upon  the  floor,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  most  profound 
nap  he  was  awakened  by  something  near  his  head ;  upon  exami- 
nation it  proved  to  be  the  upsetting  of  a  jar  of  honey.  He  found 
his  head  and  pillow  completely  immersed  in  it.  A  sweet  time, 
ind'eed !  All  of  three  quarts  of  honey  floating  around  his  head. 
However,  he  was  not  thus  to  be  cheated  out  of  his  nap.  He 
threw  his  pillow  one  side  and  moved  his  mattress  a  little  and 
on  he  slept  "till  morning  light  appeared,"  which  showed  his 
sweet  bed. 

I  think  that  there  must  have  been  a  violent  gale  somewhere 
to  make  such  a  confounded  heavy  sea  as  there  was. 

I  was  called  on  deck  this  morning  to  see  what  I  never  before 
saw,  viz:  a  waterspout,  which  is  a  column  of  water  extending 
from  the  ocean  to  the  clouds.  It  had  ascended  part  way  up 
when  I  first  saw  it  and  continued  to  go  very  rapidly  until  it  was 
out  of  sight  in  the  clouds.  It  was  not  apparently  of  very  great 
magnitude,  but  as  we  were  some  distance  from  it,  I  could  not 
rightly  judge.  I  have  often  heard  of  them  breaking  upon  ves- 
sels and  sinking  them  immediately. 

Saturday,  the  23d.  Yesterday  I  amused'  myself  by  sitting  on 
deck  and  watching  the  whales  in  various  directions.  They  rose 
to  the  surface  of  the  water  and  spouted,  then  dove  d'own  out  of 
sight  again.     They  look  very  large  at  a  distance. 

This  morning  I  went  on  deck  and  noticed  a  difference  in  the 
water  and  concluded  that  we  were  on  sounding.  I  inquired  of 
B  if  it  was  not  so  and  ascertained  that  it  was  the  case.  I  hope 
that  we  shall  soon  be  safe  in  Boston. 

Sunday,  the  24th.  Last  night  was  a  terrible  night, — foggy, 
torrents  \)f  rain,  thurid'er  and  chain  lightning  in  abundance, 
and  so  dark  that  you  could  scarcely  see  your  hand  before  you. 
We  were  in  the  South  channel,  too !  It  was  a  night  of  anxiety 
to  B.  I  lay  in  my  bed  with  all  the  confidence  in  the  world, 
thinking  that  if  we  were  in  danger  any  person  could  get 
out  of  he  was  the  person.  And  in  the  midst  of  my  cogita- 
tions he  came  and  called  me  to  see  what  is  called  a  corposant, 
which  was  a  body  of  light  attached  to  the  ball  at  the  top  of  the 
mainmast.  I  threw  my  cloak  over  my  nightdress  and  went  on 
deck  and  saw  it.  It  was  not  so  bright  as  I  imagined.  They 
often  make  their  appearance  during  a  gale  of  wind,  but  when 
they  take  their  station  low  the  gale  is  on  the  increase,  and  they 
continue  to  rise  until  it  is  at  its  height.  Then  they  stop.  But 
as  this  was  as  high  as  it  could  get,  we  did  not  fear  the  wind's 
blowing  any  harder  than  it  then  did.     I  was  quite  surprised  at 


142 

the  appearance  of  the  water,  which  was  of  a  luminous  appear- 
ance resembling  one  vast  sheet  of  fire  lashed  into  foaming  waves 
by  the  wind.  I  took  one  look,  then  went  to  bed  again  thinking 
what  a  "^terrible  night  this  is." 

This  morning  the  wind  is  heading  us  off  our  course,  and  it 
is  still  thick  fog  with  the  wind  at  the  north.  I  suppose  that  we 
are  in  the  vicinity  of  Cape  Cod  and  shall  probably  see  it  if  the 
weather  clears  up.  I  hope  this  will  be  the  case,  for  I  do  feel 
some  anxiety  to  get  in  once  more. 

Monday,  the  25th.  We  are  still  becalmed  and  are  banging 
about  in  the  fog;  we  ought  to  have  been  in  before  this,  and 
would  have  been  if  we  had  any  kind  of  a  chance  at  all. 

I  have  been  talking  for  a  whole  hour  with  B  as  fast  as  my 
tongue  could  run  and  all  that  I  could  get  out  of  him  is"Yes," 
"No."  I  suppose  that  he  is  tired  enough  of  my  gab,  and  I  will 
now  desist  long  enough  to  give  him  a  little  rest. 

The  wind  has  been  northwest  these  two  'days,  and  still  there 
is  a  thick  fog.  Who  ever  heard  the  like  before !  I  think  that 
nature,  or  something  else,  must  have  imade  an  alteration  in 
the  fog-box  down  East  and  carried  it  to  the  N^orth.  If  so,  I 
do  most  heartily  wish  that  some  one  would  sit  on  the  cover  and 
keep  it  forever  closed. 

Thursday  morning,  the  29th.  AVe  at  last  succeeded  in  getting 
to  Boston.  Arrived  last  night  at  nine  o'clock  and  the  first  news 
we  heard  was  "War,  War," — a  thing  which  I  had  scarcely 
thought  of  for  two  months. 

Tuesday,  January  19,  1847.  The  wind  is  blowing  very  fresh 
and  the  barometer  is  falling.  There  is  every  appearance  of 
heavy  weather. 

Wednesday,  the  20th.  We  have  now  a  perfect  gale  of  wind ; 
the  brig  is  doing  her  best  under  double  reefed  sails,  and  in  all 
probability  we  shall  be  obliged  to  heave  to. 

Thursday,  the  21st.  Still  a  gale ;  the  water  is  all  over  the  deck 
making  a  great  swashing,  arid  lias  put  the  cook's  fire  out  in  the 
galley.  He  has  given  up  cooking  for  the  present..  The  sea 
strikes  the  vessel  with  tremendous  force. 

Friday,  the  22d.  The  gale  has  not  abated  yet;  the  sea  at 
times  making  a  complete  breach  over  us. 

Saturday,  the  23d.  Last  night  a  sea  struck  us  at  the  stern 
with  such  force  that  it  stove  the  boat  all  in  splinters.  This 
morning  another  broke  off  one  of  the  ring  bolts  in  the  deck, 
which  the  wheel  block  was  attached  to,  and  it  is  now  secured  by  a 

rope. 

Sunday,  the  24th.     This  morning  the  cook  succeeded  in  get- 


143 

ting  a  lire  in  the  galley,  the  first  time  for  thirty-six  hours,  and 
he  has  got  some  breakfast,  but  the  sea  has  not  abated  much. 

Monday,  the  25th.  Oh,  for  one  fair  day!  Everything  is  all 
up  in  arms;  the  table  is  upside  down  and  the  floor  continually 
wet.  The  water  every  moment  comes  down  the  companionway 
in  torrents.  Heavy  seas  are  still  coming  over  us,  and  I  have  my 
fears  that  we  shall  never  reach  our  place  of  destination  in  safety. 

Tuesday,  the  26th.  The  sea  has  somewhat  abated  and  the 
barometer  indicates  a  change. 

Wednesday,  the  27th.  Another  gale  still  worse.  The  sea 
strikes  us  with  tremendous  force  and  has  broken  the  main  rail 
and  stove  in  the  monkey  rail.  I  am  afraid  that  we  shall  be  stove 
all  to  pieces.  It  makes  me  tremble.  The  galley  is  stove  in  and 
no  more  cooking  for  the  nresent.  Obliged  to  heave  to  again. 
Oh,  dear ! 

Thursday,  the  28th.  Awoke  this  morning  and  the  sun  was 
shining,  sweet  harbinger  of  fair  weather.  The  sea  has  gone 
down  some,  so  that,  I  went  on  deck  for  the  first  time  since  we 
came  out.  The  galley  has  been  removed  to  the  long  boat  and  the 
cook  has  commenced  operations  again.  I  do  hope  that  we  shall 
get  something  to  eat  now.  Yesterday  I  took  the  carpet  from 
our  stateroom  floor  just  as  wet  as  water  could  make  it,  and'  I 
had  been  sitting  upon  it  for  hours  before  I  knew  that  it  was  wet, 
such  was  the  state  of  my  feelings.  To-day  I  have  had  it  washed, 
and  some  of  the  things  put  in  their  proper  places,  which  gives 
an  air  of  comfort, — a  thing  we  scarcely  thought  of  since  we 
sailed. 

Friday,  the  29th.  Quite  smooth  and  comfortable,  but  I  fear 
it  will  terminate  in  another  gale.  I  never  in  my  life  knew  what 
it  was  to^  be  so  utterly  uncomfortable  as  I  have  been  since  we 
left  New  York,  but  I  feel  much  better  now. 

Saturday,  the  30th.  This  morning  while  I  was  making  my 
toilet  I  heard  the  cheering  cry  of  "Sail  0,''  which  proved  to  be  the 
ship  Lady  Caroline,  bound  for  St.  John,  l^ew  Brunswick.  B 
ordered  our  brig  to  be  luffed  up,  and  we  came  within  speaking 
distance  and  exchanged  Lat.  and  Long.  This  is  the  second 
vessel  that  we  have  seen  since  our  departure  from  our  native 
land.  It  was  really  grateful  to  my  feelings  to  see  a  vessel  and 
to  know  that  there  are  still  some  human  beings  upon  the  ocean 
waves  besides  ourselves, — soiue  that  are  exposed  to  the  raging 
elements. 

We  are  really  having  quite  a  comfortable  time  now,  just 
about  wind  enough  to  go  at  the  rate  of  five  or  six  knots  per 
hour,  and  we  are  now  within  seven  hundred  miles  of  our  desti- 


144 

nation.  Oh,  that  we  might  have  a  favorable  chance  the  rest  of 
the  time,  and  we  shall  soon  be  there !  I  think  that  our  poor 
sailors  will  be  glad  for  they  have  been  wet  a  great  part  of  the 
time  until  the  last  two  days. 

Sunday,  the  31st.  Still  pleasant  and  quite  comfortable,  and 
we  are  going  along  at  quite  a  decent  rate.  We  have  breakfasted 
and  now  are  ready  to  commence  the  Sabbath. 

Thursday,  February  4th.  We  are  now  within  a  hundred 
miles  of  Sligo  with  a  fair  wind  and  pleasant  sky.  There  is 
a  bright  sunshine,  which  is  a  great  satisfaction  after  such  se- 
vere weather  as  we  have  had  for  the  most  of  the  time  since  we 
sailed. 

.Have  employed  myself  for  the  last  two  days  at  shell  work 
which  is  my  first  attempt  at  anything  of  the  kind,  and  I  succeed 
tolerably  well.  It  serves  for  a  change  which  I  find  quite  neces- 
sary to  relieve  the  dull  monotony  of  a  seafaring  life. 

Friday,  February  5th.  My  birthday.  Thirty-three  years  of 
my  life  gone, — fled  forever. 

The  weather  looks  rather  threatening  and  the  mate  and  men 
are  employed  in  sending  down  the  topgallant  yard  and  mast,  mak- 
ing preparation  for  another  gale,  which  will  be  very  bad  as  we  are 
so  near  the  land. 

Monday,  the  8th.  Still  nothing  to  be  seen  but  the  eternal, 
raging  x\tlantic,  the  murky  clouds  and  an  angry  sky.  Our  poor 
brig  is  trembling  and  shivering  with  the  raging  elements,  at 
times  almost  driven  under  by  their  force,  and  then  raised  on 
the  top  of  a  mountain  (as  it  were).  Then  it  is  hurled  dowa 
again  making  every  movable  thing  on  board  shake  and  quiver. 
And  where  am  I  in  the  midst  of  this  war  with  the  elements? 
I  am  standing  up,  and  by  bracing  myself  and  holding  on  with 
all  my  might,  writing  the  few  ideas  that  come  out  of  my  cranium. 
I  am  so  seasick.  Oh,  dear  me !  When  shall  we  get  to  the  land 
of  Erin  ?  I  hope  to-morrow  that  my  eyes  will  behold  the  place. 
Won't  that  be  delightful !     Oh,  dear. 

Yes,  in  truth  I  can  truly  say 

"I'm  on  the  sea,  I'm  on  the  sea. 
Where  I  again  would  never  be — 
With  the  clouds  above  and  the  waves  below 
And  the  angry  winds,  where'er  I  go ; 
Much,  care  I,  for  the  mighty  deep ; 
While  I  in  danger  lie  and  sleep." 

Tuesday,  the  9th.  Last  night  about  eleven  o'clock  the  wind 
commenced  blowing  a  gale  again.     The  mate  called  B  and  they 


145 

immediately  took  off  sail  and  hauled  the  brig  off  of  the  land  for 
fear  that  we  might  be  so  near  as  to  endanger  us,  as  the  wind  was 
blowing  us  directly  oh.  This  morning  while  I  was  in  my  berth 
thinking  about  rising,  and  the  mate  was  making  preparations 
for  a  fire  in  the  cabin  and  B  was  dressing,  the  man  at  the  wheel 
cried  out  "Land,  0  !"  Whereupon  the  mate  left  hatchet  and 
kindling  wood,  B  left  stockings  and  jacket,  and  ran  up  to  see 
which  way  it  bore.  They  judged  it  to  be  about  fifteen  miles 
distant  and  accordingly  wore  ship,  and  are  now  hauling  off  as 
much  as  possible. 

But  whether  we  shall  keep  off  or  be  driven  ashore  is  yet  un- 
certain. Oh,  that  this  raging  wind  and  sea  would  lull !  The 
cabin  floor  is  all  wet  with  water  and  it  is  of  no  use  to  wipe  it 
up  as  long  as  the  waves  are  continually  coming  over  us  and 
running  down  the  companionway  by  the  bucketful.  Is  this  the 
life  of  a  sailor?  To  be  tossed  upon  the  ocean  day  and  night 
unceasingly?  To  be  completely  drenched  to  the  skin  and' stand 
at  the  wheel  with  boots  full  of  water  two  mortal  hours — to  be 
cold  and  hungry — to  be  called  out  from  sleep,  perhaps  from  a 
wet  bed,  and  be  sent  aloft  to  reef  the  sails  when  the  wind  is 
threatening  every  moment  to  throw  you  from  the  yard.  Yes, 
all  this  for  a  little  money  to  be  spent  as  soon  as  they  arrive  in 
port  for  liquor,  or  some  worse  way  if  possible. 

Afternoon.  The  wind  has  not  abated  much  yet,  and  through- 
out the  day  we  have  had  squall  after  squall  with  wind  enough 
to  tear  every  sail  to  pieces  if  they  were  not  fortunately  of  new 
canvas.  Sometimes  the  hail  stones  are  larger  than  peas,  and 
come  with  such  force  as  almost  to  cut  our  faces.  We  have  been 
under  close  reefs  all  day  trying  to  keep  off  the  land  and  now 
think  w6  shall  succeed.  There  have  been  three  vessels  in  sight 
in  the  same  situation  as  ourselves.  This  evening,  the  brig  in  an 
angry  moment,  made  a  mad  plunge  under  the  waves  and  in  the 
action  burst  one  of  the  sails  which  was  accordingly  brought  down 
stowed  away.  We  now,  instead  of  nearing  our  port,  are  striving 
with  every  possible  exertion  to  get  away  from  it,  and  it  is  almost 
enough  to  make  one's  heart  sink  within  him  to  be  in  this  situa- 
tion. The  vessel  plunging,  diving,  the  wind  roaring,  striving, 
the  barometer  down  to  a  strong  breeze  mark,  and  even  the  very 
heavens  seem  to  scowl  upon  us.  But  occasionally  through  the 
day  the  sun  has  shown  his  glorious  face  to  give  us  a  clearer  view 
of  our  horrible  situation,  and  then  withdrawn  again,  leaving  us 
in  deeper  gloom  as  if  in  very  mockery.  It  shrouds  us  in  dark- 
ness almost  perceptible  to  the  touch.  How  many  times  through 
the  day  has  B  consulted  the  barometer  and  then  turned  away 


146 

with  a  deep  drawn  sigh  saying,  "Oh,  that  the  barometer  would 
rise !"  I  never  felt  so  anxious  to  see  that  rise  before  in  my  life 
as  1  do  now.  Then  he  puts  on  his  sou'wester  and  goes  on  deck, 
looking  very  sad,  sad  indeed.     When  will  this  be  over? 

Wednesday,  the  10th.  Here  we  have  been  knocking  about 
three  days  trying  to  get  in,  and  I  am  now  so  cross  that  it  is  quite 
an  exertion  for  me  to  speak  civilly  to  anyone.  As  this  morning 
looked  rather  flattering,  the  reef  was  taken  out  of  the  mainsail^ 
and  before  two  hours  expired  there  came  up  a  tremendous 
squall  and  it  was  reefed  again.  It  is  of  no  use;  I  tell  B  that 
we  shall  be  obliged  to  go  back  again,  there  is  no  prospect  of  our 
getting  in  as  I  can  see ;  we  are  now  no  nearer  than  we  were  sev- 
eral days  ago.  If  we  only  had  decent  weather  it  would  not  seem 
(|uite  so  harrassing,  but  as  it  is,  it  is  trying  indeed.  B  was 
'dteading  this  all  the  way  here  and  fretted  considerable  about  it, 
but  now  we  are  really  in  the  situation,  he  bears  it  more  patiently 
than  I  do.  So  it  sometimes  is  in  this  life  that  imaginary  trou- 
bles are  not  borne  with  so  much  fortitude  as  real  ones. 

Thursday,  the  11th.  No  material  change  yet.  The  wind 
ahead,  the  land  in  sight  and  about  the  same  distance  it  has 
been  these  three  days.  We  are  obliged  to  stand  off  from  it  and 
that  has  kept  us  just  about  so  for  three  days. 

Saturday,  the  13th.  Our  hopes  were  raised  to  quite  a  high 
pitch  last  night  thinking  that  we  should'  be  close  in  to  the  land 
this  morning,  and  that  we  should  finally  anchor  in  Sligo  bay, 
but  as  daylight  approached,  we  found  that  the  current  had 
drifted  us  during  the  night  away  to  the  leeward  of  our  port,  and 
we  had  nothing  to  do  but  just  beat  back  again  against  wind 
and  tide.  After  beating  for  six  hours  the  sky  grew  dark,  the 
wind  howled  fearfully,  thg  big  drops  of  rain  fell,  and  we  were 
obliged  to  keep  off  again  as  much  as  possible  for  fear  of  being 
driven  ashore.  Oh,  to  have  our  hopes  blasted  thus,  after  so  many 
day  of  anxiety  and  toil  and  trouble.  When,  oh  when,  will  this 
be  over,  shall  we  ever  arrive  in  safety? 

Sundav,  the  14th.  AVe  are  now  farther  off  than  we  have  been 
for  some  days.  It  really  seems  as  though  we  were  doomed  to 
be  eternally  sailing  around  this  place  and  never  to  arrive.  The 
barometer  is  now  at  29  3-10,  and  the  brig  is  under  close  reefs 
and  I  am  heart  sick. 

Yesterday,  after  we  gave  up  all  hope  of  getting  in,  I  "turned 
in"  and  thought  that  I  would  lie  there  until  we  got  somewhere, 
and  there  I  lay  until  my  head  ached  as  though  it  would  split,  so 
T  was  obliged  to  rise  in  spite  of  my  resolutions  to  the  contrary. 


147 

If  we  remain  on  the  ocean  much  longer  we  shall  be  entirely  out 
of  fire  wood. 

This  is  the  fourth  Sunday  that  we  have  been  upon  the  mighty 
deep,  and  is  it  strange  that  I  should  forget  the  day?  This 
morning  I  took  my  knitting  to  beguile  an  hour,  but  soon  the  mate 
said,  "I  think  you  have  forgotten  what  day  it  is  Mrs.  Webster," 
whereupon  I  laid  it  aside  till  to-morrow.  Last  night  I  dreamed 
of  my  dear  old  grandmother  Soule.  Sometimes  I  imagine  her 
gentle  spirit  is  ever  near  me.  There  is  not  a  week  passes  but 
what  I  'dl-eam  of  her.  Often  I  see  her  placid  countenance  and 
and  pleasant,  quiet  smile,  and  think  if  I  am  ever  permitted  to 
go  to  heaven  that  I  hope  to  have  a  place  near  her. 

Sunday  evening.  And  can  it  be  that  we  are  in  Sligo  Bay? 
Yes,  even  so.  We  now  have  a  pilot  on  board,  and  oh,  how 
cheering  to  hear  a  human  voice,  even  in  the  Paddy-tongue.  He 
has  been  on  board  about  fifteen  minutes.  His  crew  of  four  men 
begged  for  bread  which  B  supplied  them.  Then  with  a  "thank 
yc''  and  "God  bless  ye"  they  went  back  with  their  boat  leaving  the 
pilot  with  us.  This  has  taken  a  mountainous  load  from  B's  heart. 
The  mate  is  now  getting  the  anchors  ready, — cheering  sound. 

My  heart  is  light, 
My  spirits  are  bright. 
For  a  joyful  sight. 
Have  I  seen  this  night 
The  land  of  Erin  0  ! ! 

Oh  !  dear,  what  rhyming  this. 

And  we  did  surely  anchor  last  night.  Yes,  our  poor  old  brig 
that  has  been  beaten  and  banged  about  for  a  month  past,  at 
last  had  a  night's  rest,  and  sweet  it  must  have  been  to  her  as 
well  as  to  the  rest  of  us.  ^ 

Tuesday,  the  16th.  I  heard  before  leaving  ^ew  York  that  the 
people  were  starving  to  death  in  Ireland',  and  it  is  too  true. 
They  are  dying  by  scores  with  hunger.  The  poorhouse  has 
twelve  hundred  inmates,  and  they  are  dying  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  or  fourteen  a  week,  being  so  much  emaciated  before  they 
go  there  that  the  fever  takes  them  off.  The  poor  wretches  flock 
around  us  on  all  sides  begging  for  a  bit  of  bread.  Old, 
wrinkled,  tattered  and  dirty  women,  with  crying  children  at 
their  backs,  with  feet  and  legs  bare  upon  the  cold',  muddy  ground, 
with  scarcely  clothing  enough  to  cover  their  nakedness ;  young 
girls  in  their  youthful  days,  traveling  three  or  four  miles  with 
half  a  dozen  of  eggs  to  sell  to  get  a  morsel  of  bread  to  lengthen 
out  their  miserable  days;  men  with  haggard  countenances  beg- 


148 

ging  for  a  penny ;  these  are  sights  that  make  my  heart  recoil  and 
awake  every  sympathy  in  my  breast. 

But  what  can  we  do  ?  If  we  give  one  they  flock  by  hundreds, 
and  to  supply  them  would  take  all  that  we  have. 

Frida}^,  the  19th.  My  little  milk  girl  I  find  to  be  quite  an 
intelligent  little  thing.  She  courtesies  every  time  that  she  en- 
ters or  leaves  the  cabin,  and  never  answers  me  without  mi-lady 
at  the  end  of  each  sentence.  Last  evening,  after  I  had  emptied 
the  milk,  she  handed  me  a  little  paper  saying  "Would  it  be  any 
harm,  lady,  for  me  to  give  you  this  ?"  I  opened  it  and  found  it 
to  contain  sugar  plums.  This  morning  I  put  a  string  of  beads 
on  her  neck,  she  was  much  delighted,  thanked  me  two  or  three 
times,  then  turning  to  B  she  courtesied  and  did  the  same.  She 
evidently  has  been  better  taught  than  the  larger  part  of  the 
community. 

Spent  last  evening  on  board  of  the  bark  Cuba,  which  was  the 
first  time  that  I  have  set  mv  foot  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
It  is  so  wet  and  muddy  that  it  is  impossible  to  stir  one  step  with- 
out getting  into  it. 

A  custom  house  officer  has  just  related  a  tale  of  horror,  which 
is  the  result  of  the  famine  in  this  place.  Last  a  week  a  poor  man 
was  sick  with  typhus  fever  in  the  street,  and  was  ordered  out  of 
the  house  during  the  evening  and  the  next  morning  was  found 
dead  in  the  ditch  by  the  roadside  with  his  legs  eaten  off  by  the 
pigs !  And  it  was  judged  by  the  horrid  contortions  of  his 
features  in  death  that  it  must  have  been  done  before  his  soul  left 
his  body.     Oh,  what  will  this  poor  country  do ! 

Women  are  working  a  whole  day  at  breaking  stones  for  ten 
pence  a  day,  with  a  family  of  children  dependent  upon  them  for 
support.  i\Ien  work  from  morning  till  night  for  the  same 
amount  and  fast  all  day,  and  at  night  carry  home  the  little  mess 
of  meal  that  they  can  get  for  that  money  (and  a  little  mess  it 
surely  is,  for  everything  is  enormously  high  now).  Then  they 
make  a  portion  of  gruel  for  five  or  six,  which  is  all  that  they 
get  till  night  comes  again,  except  what  they  get  by  begging, 
and  the  public  have  now  become  wearied  out  with  them.  A 
very  little  alms  they  get  now. 

Sunday,  the  21st.  Went  to  the  Scotch  church  to-day  with 
Capt.  Barrett  and  family  and  it  is  the  first  time  that  I  ever 
entered  a  church  of  the  kind.  The  speaker  was  a  plain  spoken 
man,  and  I  think  that  he  probably  adapted  his  discourse  to  the 
capacity  of  his  hearers.  He  prayed  very  feelingly  and  the  whole 
congregation  appeared  very  devout  and  solemn ;  there  was  none 
of  that  heartless  levitv  and  indifference  which  we  see  so  much 


149 

of  in  our  churches.  Then  he  read  a  hymn,  and  the  congrega- 
tion, old  and  young,  rose  from  their  seats  and  joined  in  a 
solemn  chant.  The  sound  inspired  my  heart  with  a  devotional 
feeling  which  the  music  with  us  does  not.  There  was  no  form 
nor  ceremony  nor  instrumental  music,  but  merely  one  united 
chorus  of  mingled  voices  going  up  in  praise  and  thanksgiving 
to  the  Lord  of  heaven.  He  thinks  the  famine  with  which  they 
are  visited  is  a  direct  judgment  frOm  God  in  consequence  of  the 
wickedness  of  the  people.  I  returned  (if  with  no  better  heart) 
perhaps  with  some  better  feeling  than  I  had  when  I  went. 

The  church  was  very  plain  and  was  heated  by  large  ovens 
built  in  each  side  of  the  walls,  filled  with  coals ;  and  although  in 
the  month  of  February,  there  were  some  beautiful  flowers  in  full 
bloom  in  the  yard  before  the  door. 

Monday,  the  2 2d.  I  can  not  put  my  head  up  the  companion- 
way  without  some  one  will  drop  a  courtesy  and  begin  with  "The 
Lord  bless  ye  ma'am  and  long  life  to  your  honor,  will  ye 'give 
me  a  ha'penny  for  I've  not  had  a  morsel  to-day,  and  I've  no 
father  nor  mother  to  look  out  for  me."  Without  doubt  the  same 
is  said  a  hundred  times  a  day,  and  if  they  were  all  supplied 
with  their  ha'penny,  I  should  have  none  left,  so  I  am  obliged  to 
take  no  notice  of  them,  or  go  below  out  of  sight. 

To-day  I  have  had  a  girl  to  work  for  me  all  day.  She  ap- 
peared very  glad  to  get  something  to  do,  that,  as  she  expressed  it, 
she  could  earn  a  bit  for  herself,  for  she  had  not  a  second  dress  to 
her  back  and  times  were  so  distressing  that  she  knew  not  where 
she  was  to  get  the  second. 

Tuesday,  the  23d.  Spent  the  afternoon  at  Mrs.  Barrett's. 
She  is  a  native  of  Scotland  and  a  lady  of  many  accomplish- 
ments^with  considerable  beauty,  although  the  mother  of  six 
children.  I  never  had  more  attention  and  respect  shown  me 
than  while  there. 

Wednesday,  the  2-lrth.  Have  spent  the  afternoon  in  shopping 
in  company  with  Mrs.  Barrett.  Sligo  looks  much  better  now  the 
mud  is  dried  up  than  it  did  when  we  first  arrived.  I  find  that 
that  there  are  some  fine  looking  houses  and  several  good  looking 
churches,  but  the  poverty  of  the  people  is  something  dreadful. 

Thursday,  the  25th.  A  fine,  beautiful  morning,  the  sun  is 
shining  gloriously  alike,  on  rich  and  poor,  on  the  beggar  and  the 
dying.  The  streets  are  thronged  with  beggars  crying  for  a 
morsel  of  bread,  and  their  importunity  is  such  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  keep  a  penny  for  yourself. 

We  are  now  hauling  off  into  the  stream,  and  the  next  step 
will  be  to  go  to  sea. 


150 

Friday,  the  26tli.  The  coldest  morning  that  I  have  seen  since 
we  arrived  at  this  place. 

One  of  our  officers  offered  me  a  "very  pretty  lap  dog"  as  he  said, 
and  a  very  playful  thing.  Accordingly  I  consented  to  take  it. 
This  morning  he  sent  it  down,  and  instead  of  a  pretty  dog  it 
is  the  most  hideous  animal  that  I  ever  saw.  He  is  a  coarse 
haired,  dirty  little  animal,  and  what  to  do  with  it  I  do  not  know. 
But  I  let  them  leave  it  because  I  thought  he  would  think  me  very 
uncivil  if  I  sent  it  back  again. 

Evening.  I  just  now  gave  a  boy  a  penny  to  take  it  back  again 
to  the  owner. 

Saturday,  the  27th.  We  are  now  getting  ready  to  start. 
The  pilot  is  on  board.  B  has  been  to  the  washwoman^  for  our 
clothes  which  she  has  neglected  to  send  three  times  since  last 
evening.  She  has  been  ironing  all  night,  and  at  last  they  have 
come ;  but  in  getting  them  on  board  six  or  eight  pieces  fell  into 
river  and  were  wet  entirely  through.  Some  are  ironed  and  some 
are  not.  Now  I  have  counted  them  over  and  find  eight  pieces 
missing.     I  suppose  in  her  hurry  she  overlooked  them. 

Sunday,  the  28th.  We  have  gained  upon  coming  out  in 
twenty-four  hours,  what  we  were  trying  for  a  week  to  accomplish 
when  inward  bound,  and  have  now  a  fair  wind,  smooth  sea  and 
our  brig  in  ballast,  which  makes  her  very  comfortable.  We  hope 
to  have  a  speedy  passage  to  St.  Thomas. 

B  is  now  trying  to  build  a  fire  in  the  cabin.  Oh,  dear !  Now 
he  has  dropped  the  grate  of  the  stove  down  and  let  all  the  fire 
fall  upon  the  hearth.  Now  his  patience  is  all  gone.  One  trial 
more, — he  has  succeeded  in  replacing  it  without  taking  the  fire 
from  the  stove.  Now  all  is  right  again.  The  fire  hums  briskly. 
Not  so  bad  after  all.  He  remarked  that  he  feared  that  he-  should 
commit  more  sin  in  making  the  fire  than  he  should  repent  of  all 
day. 

Monday,  March  1st.  A  glorious  breeze.  The  brig  is  now  do- 
ing her  best,  going  at  the  rate  of  nine  miles  per  hour.  Oh,  if 
we  were  sure  of  this  wind  we  should  soon  be  across  the  broad 
Atlantic  again. 

Tuesday,  March  2d.  Have  been  sick  all  day  both  in  body  and 
mind,  for  the  one  surely  operates  on  the  other.  At  one  time  I 
lie  down,  then  get  up  again,  I  then  change  my  seat,  but  all  to  no 
purpose.  This  horrid  nauseous  feeling'  will  accompany  me 
where  ever  I  go  or  whatever  I  do.  Our  present  prospect  looks 
quite  encouraging.  We  have  come  six  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  in  three  days  and  a  half,  and  if  a  heavy  sea  does  occasion- 
ally give  the  brig  a  blow  and  make  her  old  bones  rattle  again. 


151 

that  is  nothing  as  long  as  she  does  not  mind  it,  but  struts  along 
the  same  as  though  nothing:  troubled  her. 

Wednesday  morning,  March  3,  10.30.  The  wind  is  blowing 
very  hard.  The  w^ateh  has  just  been  called  out  to  put  the 
brig  under  double  reefs.  I  am  sitting  in  the  stateroom  feel- 
ing wretched.  Four  days  out  and  one  quarter  of  the  way  to 
Xew  York.  Oh,  if  we  were  only  bound  there  we  might  soon  see 
our  native  land  again.  Instead'  of  that,  I  suppose  the  West 
Indies  j^vill  bring  us  up  first. 

Thursday.  This  morning  awoke  and  found  it  quite  calm, 
which  was  very  gratifying  to  my  feelings,  after  spending  such 
an  uncomfortable  day  as  I  did  vesterdav.  The  reefs  were  taken 
out  of  the  sails  and  soon  after  the  wind  l)reezed  up  directly 
ahead  and  now  it  looks  drizzly  and  rainy.  This  head  wind  I  do 
not  much  like,  however,  I  will  not  complain  as  long  as  we  get 
along  so  comfortably  as  we  do  now. 

Friday,  the  5th.  Under  double  reefs  again,  alas  I  How 
changeable  are  all  things !  We  are  now  getting  on  finely  again, 
and  we  now  sing  the  "Song"  of  the  Western  Islands.  The  sky 
is  dark,  the  air  thick  and  hazy ;  no  sound  is  heard  but  the  l)ellow- 
ing  winds,  the  foaming  waves,  the  heavy  tread  of  the  sailors 
and  the  quacking  of  the  ducks.  It  really  seems  quite  'domestic 
to  have  these  fowls  around  the  deck.  They  were  quite  delighted 
with  the  wet  weather.  Benjamin  is  rather  moody  to-day;  I  hope 
his  state  of  feelings  does  not  indicate  a  gale  of  wind. 

Saturday,  the  6th.  Last  night  about  twelve  the  wind  died  away 
but  before  two  we  were  under  close  reefs  with  a  strong  breeze. 
To-day  it  is  quite  pleasant,  although  there  is  quite  a  heavy  sea, 
which  makes  the  brig  rather  uneasy.  It  is  one  week  this  morn- 
ing since  we  left  Sligo,  that  land  of  wretchedness  and  poverty. 
Villages  that  once  were  cheerful  and  comfortable  are  now  totally 
deserted,  the  inhabitants  have  flocked  to  the  cities  to  beg  their 
bread  and  not  one  solitary  individual  is  left. 

Two  of  our  poor  ducks  died  last  night  and  I  feel  really  sorry. 
Their  coarse,  rough  voices  sounded  pleasant  to  my  ears  when 
in  contrajit  with  the  surly  voice  of  "The  many  waters.''  The 
ccok,  careless  wretch,  neglected  to  feed  them  for  twenty-four 
hours,  then  gave  them  too  much  corn  at  a  time,  and  so,  poor 
things,  they  were  obliged  to  die. 

I  have  not  been  on  deck  but  once  since  we  came  out,  but  think 
I  will  try  it  this  afternoon  for  a  change,  which  is  sometimes  very 
desirable. 

This  afternoon  is  much  pleasanter  weather  than  we  have  had 
since  we  came  out. 


*.•* 


152 

Sunday,  the  7th.  A  strong  gale  from  the  southward.  B 
thought  this  morning  that  he  would  be  obliged  to  heave  the  brig 
to,  but  the  wind  has  abated  some  now.  The  mate  has  been  sick 
and  off  duty  these  three  days,  consequently  B  has  all  of  his  work 
to  do,  which  makes  it  hard  for  him.  However,  he  is  some  bet- 
ter to-day,  and  I  hope  soon  will  be  well  again. 

Sunday  is  a  long  day  when  at  sea,  and  more  especially  when 
it  is  as  bad  weather  as  it  now  is,  for  it  is  utterly  impossible  for 
me  to  compose  my  mind  long  enough  to  read,  and  work  is  out 
of  the  question  upon  this  holy  day.  So  I  am  obliged  to  sit  and 
muse, — and  that,  indeed,  gets  to  be  an  old  story  after  a  few  days 
at  sea.  For  we  have  not  many  changes,  except  in  weather, 
which,  heaven  knows,  we  have  enough  of  at  present.  Therefore, 
the  mind  is-  liable  to  run  to  waste,  unless  previously  stored  with 
useful  and  interesting  knowledge. 

B  has  lain  down  to  get  some  rest,  having  been  up  the  most  of 
the  night.  Mr.  Currier  is  sitting  still  looking  rather  demure, 
and  I  am  all  alone  in  the  stateroom. 

Monday,  the  8th.  This  is  March  weather  in  good  earnest. 
Last  night  the  wind  moderated  to  a  calm  and  B  turned  out  the 
reefs ;  but  in  a  few  hours  it  commenced  blowing  a  gale  again, 
and  the  old  brig  was  reefed  down.  A  change  occurs  from  a 
gale  to  a  calm  about  every  twelve  hours,  and  it  makes  work  for 
all  hands.     The  mate  is  on  dutv  to-dav. 

Nothing  interesting  has  occurred  since  we  came  out  worth 
writing,  but  it  is  some  satisfaction  to  write  even  the  state  of  the 
weather  from  day  to  day.  Perhaps  I  shall  look  this  over  at  a 
future  period  and  remember  that  I  and  Old  Ocean  have  long 
been  acquainted,  and  gladly  would  I  say  friends  did  I  feel  from 
my  heart  that  such  was  the  case.  This  I  can  truly  say,  that  he 
has  used  me  far  better  than  some  have  been  used ;  if  I  have  suf- 
fered anxious  days  and  restless  nights  while  rocking  in  his 
watery  cradle,  I  must  acknowledge  that  I  am  not  such  an  un- 
grateful being  as  to  feel  that  I  am  alone  in  the  midst  of  the 
waves.     I  have  a  Protector. 

Monday,  the  8th.  I  have  sat  the  whole  day  long  and  done 
nothing  at  all;  for  who  could  work  or  read  when  balancing 
between  heaven  and  earth  with  no  resting  place  for  the  sole  of  the 
foot?  Xot  I.  I  must  abide  somewhere  or  I  can  not  work,  nor 
road,  nor  play. 

It  is  often  a  matter  of  w^onder  why  man  w^as  permitted  to  nav- 
igate the  boundless  ocean,  when  so  many  lives  pay  the  cost.  Why 
each  portion  of  inhabitants  may  not  pass  its  days  by  itself  with- 
out disturbing  other  portions  of  the  gfobe :     It  is  too  true  "God 


153 


made  man  upright  but  he  has  sought  out  many  inventions. 
Yes,  invented  ships  to  cross  the  ocean,  and  not  a  year  passes 
but  many  souls  are  by  the  means  of  these  same  ships,  sent  to 
their  last  account,  which,  to  all  human  observation,  might  have 
passed  many  days  here  on  earth,  had  they  been  content  to  stay  on 
the  land.  But  the  restless  spirit  of  man  is  never  content;  new 
aspirations  are  continually  occupying  the  mind  and  desires  are 
never  fully  attained. 

(This  page  written  by  B.  W.) 

Mondav,  the  8th.  We  are  now  under  close  reefs  fore  and  aft. 
The  wind  has  changed  twice  to-day  and  the  brig  has  made  the 
water  fly  at  a  great  rate.  To-day  I  have  seen  the  spray  wet  the 
foresail  and  topsail,  and  go  a  number  of  feet  over  the  topsail 
yard.  I  do  not  think  I  ever  saw  the  sea  fly  so  high  in  my  twenty 
years'  experience.  I  have  never  had  so  uncomfortable  passage 
in  my  life,  and  never  thought  myself  in  so  great  danger.  This 
is  owing  to  the  fact  that  I  have  a  cargo  of  corn  in  bulk.  It  is  the 
worst  and  most  unsafe  cargo  I  ever  carried,  as  it  is  so  apt  to  shift 
and  get  the  vessel  out  of  trim. 

There !  Since  I  commenced  this  page  I  have  had  to  look  out 
for  a  squall  for  fear  of  the  wind  carrying  away  something,  but 
now  it  is  calm;  sails  are  hanging  on  the  yards;  but  the  man  at 
the  wheel  says  another  squall  is  coming  and  I  must  look  to  it. 

I  have  liberty  to  use  only  this  page  and  that  is  as  much  as 
will  be  deciphered.  But  my  Eunice  is  good  to  find  out  puzzles 
and  I  will  give  her  this.  She  wants  something  to  occupy  her 
mind. 

Tuesday,  the  9th.  We  are  now  upon  the  second  week  of  our 
passage  and  are  along  a  good  distance,  but  the  last  few  days 
we  have  gained  nothing.  This  morning  it  blew  a  gale  and  there 
was  such  a  heavy  sea  on  that  it  made  the  brig  pitch  about  at 
an  awful  rate;  but  now  it  is  almost  calm,  and  such  a  rolling  as 
we  are  having !  Every  chair  in  the  cabin  is  upset,  and 
boots,  shoes,  jackets  and  caps,  my  foot  stove  and  the  coal  are 
rolling  together  over  the  floor.  Nothing  can  well  be  kept  in 
its  place.     Oh,  dear !     I  am  tired  to  death  of  this. 

Wednesday,  the  10.  No  change  yet.  The  wind  is  continually 
changing  as  often  as  the  brig  is  tacked ;  it  does  really  appear  as 
though  the  wind  was  following  the  vessel  around. 

Thursday.  A  rain  storm  this  morning  but  no  change 
of  wind  yet.     This  is  truly  discouraging,  to  be  going  back  in- 


154  ' 

stead  of  forward  as  we  wish  to  go.  This  looks  like  a  lengthy 
passage. 

Friday,  the  12th.  A  gale!  a  gaJe !  a  gale  of  wind  I  And 
what  does  this  mean?  Why,  it  means  that  the  wind  is  screech- 
ing like  an  owl  and  that  last  night  it  tried  its  strength  upon 
the  mainstaysail  and  split  it  in  two;  and  as  the  wind  was 
mightier  than  man  or  vessel,  the  brig  was  obliged  to  heave  to. 
Accordingly  we  are  in  that  condition  this  morning  and  the 
cabin  furniture  is  frolicking  in  its  might  and  glee  back  and  for- 
ward across  the  floor,  occasionally  mingling  with  the  briny  ele- 
ments of  which  there  is  quite  a  profusion.  Such  is  our  state,— 
and  is  it  strange  that  the  beings  who  inhabit  this  perishable 
home  are  gloomy?  Is  it  strange  that  dark  forbodings  sometimes 
cross  the  mind  and  that  feelings  grow  impatient  and  irritable? 
We  are  mortal,  and  mortality  cannot  always  bear  up  with  forti- 
tude against  the  ills  of  life,  and  surely  not  always  against  the 
elements,  which  appear  whetted  by  the  Almighty  against  them. 
But  a  voice  sounds  in  mine  ear  "Worm  of  the  dust,  darest  thou 
contend  with  a  mightier  spirit  than  thine  ?  Hold  thy  peace — be 
silent. 

Saturday,  the  13th.  Yesterday  at  twelve  the  wind  calmed  so 
that  the  topsail  was  set  and  we  went  jogging  on  at  a  slow  rate 
within  about  five  or  six  points  of  our  course.  So  things  went 
on  through  the  night,  but  this  morning  old  Xeptune  has  lifted 
his  head  above  the  waves  again  and  his  voice  is  booming  over  the 
waters  like  seven  thunders.  We  are  now  trembling  and  quaking, 
rocking  and  shaking. 

Afternoon  The  wind  is  now  moderate  and  we  can  head 
our  course.  Our  hopes  are  somewhat  raised  for  we  hope  that 
it  will  last  long  enough  at  least  for  us  to  get  into  warm  weather. 
It  would  not  be  so  bad  as  it  now  is,  if  I  could  get  on  deck,  a 
thing  that  I  have  not  accomplished  but  twice  since  we  came 
out.  It  is  too  cold  to  be  comfortable  there,  so  I  content  myself 
staying  in  the  cabin  and  without  seeing  the  sun  nor  waves  except 
from  the  window. 

Sunday,  the  14th.  A  calm  morning.  The  sails  are  hanging 
lazily  to  the  masts  and  a  drizzly  rain  is  falling.  Everything  is 
wet  and  a  cold  and  cheerless  aspect  is  presented  on  all  sides. 
The  cook  is  setting  the  table  for  breakfast, — such  a  cook  our 
patience  was  never  before  tried  with.  He  seems  to  be  entirely 
without  a  faculty  to  get  along:  his  meals  are  always  behind  the 
time ;  and  when  we  do  get  them  they  are  in  no  decent  order.  We 
shall  all  be  glad  when  his  time  is  out,  which  will  not  be  until  we 


155 

end  the  voyage,  I  suppose.     But  I  also  suppose  that  he  imagines 
himself  one  of  the  best. 

Monday,  the  15th.  A  strong  breeze.  We  are  now  under  close 
reefs,  and  hope  to  pass  the  Western  Islands  if  the  wind  favors  us. 
B  has  been  reading  the  most  of  the  day,  so  this  afternoon  he  took 
a  cigar  and  went  on  deck  to  take  a  good  smoke  by  himself.  But 
he  had  just  seated  himself  in  a  comfortable  posture  when  a 
large  sea  struck  the  brig  near  him  and  wet  him  all  over.  T 
heard  a  screech  and  I  looked  out  to  see'  what  was  the  matter  and 
caught  a  glimpse  of  him  as  he  was  bending  over  to  let  the  water 
run  off.  The  cigar  he  gave  one  desperate  chew,  arid  let  it  drop 
f]"om  his  mouth.  ^^Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !'' jesounded  from  all  sides;  when 
he  exclaimed  that  the  sea  was  no  respecter  of  persons.  Down 
h(!  came  to  the  cabin  and  was  obliged  to  change  his  clothes 
and  exchanged  his  stockings  which  he  had  not  had  on  but  an 
hour.  It  is  very  bad  to  be  thus  served  in  cold  weather,  but  it 
can't  be  helped  sometimes,  especially  when  the  brig  is  throwing 
the  water  so  as  to  wet  the  mainsails  entirely  over.  She  is  not 
used  to  such  big  seas,  and  does  not  know  how  to  behave  herself 
very  becomingly ;  but  I  think  she  will  be  wiser  in  some  measure 
before  we  get  to  the  United  States  of  America  again. 

Tuesda}^,  the  16th.  Our  breeze  still  continues  and  we  now 
are  clear  of  the  Western  Islands  and  hope  soon  to  be  out  of  cold 
weather.  B  is  employed  in  mending  the  mainstaysail,  which  was 
split  a  few  nights  ago. 

Wednesday,  the  17th.  This  morning  at  the  breakfast  table 
B  said  "P]unice,  we  are  now  in  warm  weather."'  I  looked  up 
rather  surprised  when  he  asked  if  I  perceived  the  difference. 
I  answered  "No,  indeed.''  So  when  I  had  breakfasted  I  donned 
hood  and  shawl  and  ventured  on  deck,  and  to  my  satisfaction 
did  perceive  the  change.  It  is  really  quite  comfortable  with 
open  doors  and  without  my  ^'Highland,''''  which  I  have  not  been 
able  to  sit  without  a  day  since  we  sailed. 

Afternoon.  The  staysail  has  just  been  hoisted  and  I  can  see 
a  vast  difference  in  the  motion  of  the  brig.  It  makes  her 
tremble  in  every  joint.  This  morning  the  reefs  were  turned  out 
and  we  are  braced  sharp  on  the  wind,  but  still  do  not  head  within 
two  or  three  points  of  our  course. 

I  have  just  made  some  cranberry  pies,  for  I  cannot  eat  the 
cook's  victuals  with  any  kind  of  relish.  He  is  very  dirty  with  all 
other  manifold  failings  of  which  he  is  possessed.  Never  did  I 
see  such  a  cook  in  my  life. 

Thursday,  the  18th.     The  weather  continues  fine  and  warm 


156 

enough  for  comfort,  and  it  really  looks  quite  spring-like  to  see 
the  men  changing  their  winter  attire  for  that  which  is  more 
adapted  to  warm  weather. 

Friday,  the  19th.  My  feelings  are  much  as  they  used  to  be  in 
days  of  yore  when  I  used  to  watch  with  so  much  delight,  day  by 
day,  the  snowdrift  melt  away  and  the  green  grass  appear.  My 
spirits  are  much  elated  with  the  return  of  mild  skies  and  warm 
weather.  All  hands  on  board  are  as  busy  as  bees  preparing  to 
send  up  the  topgallant  mast  and  yards  so  that  the  sails  can  be  set 
once  more. 

Saturday.  The  topgallant  mast  is  aloft,  the  yards  are  crossed, 
the  s^ils  are  once  more  spread  to  caitch  the  breeze,  and  a  fair 
wind  is  cheering  us  on  our  way ;  so  that  the  brig  looks  once  more 
like  herself  again,  and  now  no  longer  reminds  me  of  a  hen 
without  tail  feathers. 

Sunday,  the  21st.  Sunday  again  and  yet  at  sea  and  many 
miles  from  our  native  land.  It  would  indeed,  be  cheering  if  we 
could  spend  our  Sundays  at  church,  but  as  there  are  no  churches 
stationed  upon  the  waters^  we  must  be  content  to  stay  on  ship 
board  and  read  or  idly  sit  and  muse.  It  is  a  lazy  day  with  the 
sailors  as  well  as  myself.  However,  they  generally  may  be  seen 
busy.  Sometimes  they  are  employed  in  mending  their  clothes, 
at  others  greasing  shoes;  sometimes  they  are  washing  them- 
selves and  combing  their  hair,  but  they  generally  spend  the  day 
without  books. 

Monday,  the  22d.  Afternoon,  three  o'clock.  A  rain  squall 
has  'disturbed  B  and  the  men  who  were  repairing  the  topsail, 
which  is  to  be  exchanged  for  the  new  one  that  is  now  on  the 
brig.  However,  it  will  not  rain  much  and  we  sincerely  hope 
that  a  change  of  wind  will  follow,  which  will  prove  to  be  the 
trade  wind. 

I  have  been  quite  busy  for  a  few  days  repairing  my  clothes, 
which  have  been  neglected  all  of  the  outward  passage. 

Tuesday,  the  23d.  The  wind  is  fair  but  quite  light.  We 
seem  to  need  some  new  occurrence  to  brighten  up  our  ideas  a  lit- 
tle; we  have  now  been  at  sea  so  long  that  things  seem  rather 
monotonous. 

Wednesday,  the  24th.  A  calm.  The  sails  are  flapping  back 
and  forwards  and  a  heavy  swell  is  rolling  in  from  the  north, 
which  makes  the  brig  roll  badly ;  however,  I  do  contrive  to  keep 
myself  seated  in  my  chair  by  sundry  bracings  and  holding  on 
with  my  feet,  so  that  I  can  scribble  a  few  lines. 

Thursday,  the  25th.  Still  calm,  but  this  is  much  better  than 
a  head  wind. 


157 

Friday,  the  26th.  A  nice  little  breeze  and'  we  are  going 
smoothly  along  with  a  pleasant  sky,  such  as  our  summers  at  home 
afford.  But  as  the  wind  is  "aft"  the  mainsail  is  down,  and  at 
times  the  vessel  rolls  quite  deep.  But  the  cook  set  the  table  this 
morning  without  the  rack,  and  accordingly  the  dishes  took  it 
into  their  heads  to  roll  off  on  the  floor  and  were  smashed  into 
atoms.     We  have  but  a  few  left  now. 

^  The  main  topmast  is  going  up.  It  looks  like  a  dangerous  job 
to  see  such  a  tremendously  long  stick  suspended  in  the  air  over 
our  heads.  If  it  should  give  away  and  come  down  it  would  make 
a  hole  through  the  vessel's  bottom,  and  most  likely  kill  some  of 
us. 

The  danger  is  now  past,  it  is  secured  and  all  is  right. 

Saturday,  the  23d.  A  fine  morning.  I  arose  this  morning 
and  threw  open  the  windows  to  let  in  the  soft  air,  which  is  truly 
refreshing  in  the  month  of  March.  I  have  left  off  my  winter 
clothing  for  some  that  is  more  suitable  for  the  climate,  and 
find  the  change  very  agreeable  to  my  feelings,  after  being 
bundled  up  all  winter.  Our  good  breeze  still  continues  and  I 
enjoy  it  very  much. 

Sunday,  the  28th.  Sunday  comes  oftener  than  any  other 
'day  of  the  week  apparently.  It  is  very  smooth  to-day,  and  the 
sea  is  of  a  dark,  inky  color.  The  sky  is  clear  with  here  and  there 
a  large  fleec}"  cloud  floating  leisurely  along,  which  being  of  a 
light  color  contrasts  beautifully  with  the  dark  blue  sky.  We 
are  moving  leisurely  along  with  studding  sails  out  on  both  sides, 
and  the  mainsail  furled. 

Saw  a  bark  this  morning  with  which  we  exchanged  colors. 
It  was  like  two  strangers  meeting  and  greeting  each  other,  then 
parting  never  to  meet  again.  She  showed  English  colors,  and  it 
led  me  to  make  this  query  "Do  the  souls  which  that  vessel  con- 
tains possess  that  servile  feeling  for  crowned  heads  which  some 
(if  not  all)  of  the  inhaitants  of  Europe  possess?  And  ^thy  is 
it  so  ?  Are  descendants  of  the  royal  blood  in  reality  any  better 
than  those  of  the  humble  peasant  ?  Americans  do  not  have  this 
feeling ;  they  regard  no  man  better  for  possessing  a  public  office. 
They  regard  the  man — not  the  station  that  he  fills. 

Monday,  the  29th.  A  pleasant  day,  a  fine  breeze,  and  Oh,  how 
busy  everybody  is !  Some  are  painting,  some  are  preparing  to 
paint.  The  mate  is  making  a  sail,  and  B  is  doing  a  little  of 
everything  imaginable.  As  for  myself,  I  have  made  some  bread 
which  is  so  sour  that  it  is  hardly  eatable.  I  think  that  I  shall  re- 
sign bread  making  for  the  present. 

A  vessel  has  been  in  sight  all  day  and  it  may  possibly  be  the 


158 


"Capt.  John"  which  sailed  from  Sligo  the  day  before  we  did, — 
but  we  do  iiot  see  her  "Topsails  round  her  shedding  light," 
neither  "Her  banners  waving  on,"  but  still  it  may  be  "the  fleet 
sailing  Capt.  John."  If  any  person  but  myself  should  read  the 
above,  they  will  not  understand  the  meaning  thereof,  unless  it 
should  be  explained  to  them. 

I  begin  to  long  to  see  the  land  once  more.  Yes,  long  for  a 
foothold  on  "terra  firma'"  where  I  may  be  at  rest  from  this  per- 
petual motion,  which  is  very  annoying  to  me. 

Tuesday,  the  30th.  Our  breeze  has  gradually  increased  for  the 
last  three  days  and  we  are  now  going  along  finely.  I  have  been 
attending  to  navigation  a  little  of  late,  and  can  now  work  out  a 
sight  quite  accurately,  but  find  that  I  am  still  liable  to  make  mis- 
takes. This  morning  the  man  at  the  wheel  cried  out,  "A  shark !" 
Soon  it  made  a  noise  and  B  said  that  it  was  a  whale,  and  if  I 
would  go  forward  that  I  might  get  a  good  sight  of  him.  Ac- 
cordingly I  went  and  leaned  over  the  vessel's  prow  and  saw  him 
moving  along  in  about  an  equal  pace  with  us,  but  several  feet  be- 
neath the  surface  of  the  water.  I  waited  several  moments  for 
him  to  come  up  so  that  I  might  have  a  better  view;  but  his 
majesty  did  not  choose  so  to  do. 

Wednesday,  the  31st.  A  delightful  evening;  the  moon  is  shin- 
ing gloriously  upon  the  undulating  waters,  and  upon  our  tiny 
bark  as  we  glide  swiftly  along  upon  its  sparkling  bosom.  Oh, 
what  a  world  of  thought  does  such  an  evening  as  this  excite. 

Are  we  who  inhabit  this  world  beings  who  were  created  by 
that  same  almighty  power  that  created  the  sun,  moon,  stars  and 
this  ever  restless  world  of  water?  And  can  that  power  say  to 
the  waves  "Be  still;"  and  be  obeyed?  Can  it  speak  and  say, 
"Rise  and  set  no  more,  thou  sun  and  moon  which  I  have  created  ?" 
Yes;  and  this  glorious  firmament  now  shining  beautifully  be- 
spangled with  stars,  glittering  like  pure  diamonds  above  our 
heads,  will  be  rolled  together  like  a  scroll  at  thy  command ! 

Thursday,  April  1st.  April  Fool  day.  How  are  the  people 
in  our  good  old  home  in  New  p]ngland  this  morning.  It  would 
be  very  gratifying  to  my  feelings  to  take  a  peep  at  them  and  see 
if  they  are  still  in  icy  chains ;  or  has  old  Winter  relinquished  his 
chains  and^  let  the.  captives  go  free  ?  I  much  doubt  whether 
they  have  a  breeze  equally  as  warm  as  the  balmy  breeze  of  June 
which  we  are  now  blessed  with. 

Afternoon.  I  feel  rather  lonely  to-'d'ay.  Am  obliged  to  spend 
the  most  of  the  time  by  myself,  as  B  is  so  very  much  engaged  in 
painting.  Oh,  what  a  looking  creature  he  is  !  All  covered  with 
paint  from  head  to  foot.     But  he  will  soon  be  done,  I  hope,  and 


159 

after  he  scrubs  the  coat  off  him,  1  hope  my  eyes  will  be  blessed 
with  the  sight  of  Benjamin  Webster  as  he  was  in  the  days  gone 
by.  I  just  heard  him  say/^Oh,  dear,  dear,  dear,  dear !  I  shall 
be  gla'd'  when  I  am  done.  I  am  tired  of  this."  Well,  the  old  brig 
has  renewed  her  age  very  much  indeed,  within  the  last  two  days. 
Our  fSligo  vo3^age  took  all  the  paint  off  of  her,  and  she  is  now 
getting  her  yearly  coat. 

April  Fool  day.  I  well  remember  when  I  was  a  mere  child 
that  I  wished  to  make  a  fool  of  my  schoolmates,  but  could  not  in- 
vent a  method  that  suited  me.  Father  helped  me  out  of  mv 
trouble.  He  gave  me  a  small  piece  of  paper  which  I  was  to  fas- 
ten upon  the  schoolhouse  with  these  lines  upon  it 

As  boys  their  time  do  waste  in  play 

And  hate  to  go  to  schools, 
So  they  that  read  this  verse  to-day 

Are  downright  April  Fools. 

Accordingly  I  was  there  at  an  early  hour  and  soon  the  paper 
was  upon  the  outside  of  the  schoolhouse,  and  as  fast  as  the  chil- 
dren came  each  walked  up  and  read  it,  wondering  who  wrote  it. 
At  last  one  boy,  who  was  older  than  the  rest,  read  it  and'  was  so 
provoked  that  he  took  up  a  large  piece  of  soft  mud  and  took  aim 
a1  it  and  let  drive,  and  covered  my  poor  verse  all  over.  So  my 
fooling  jig  was  up  that  day. 

Saturday,  the  3d.  Nothing  has  occurred  of  sufficient  import- 
ance to  induce  me  to  write  to-day,  if  I  did  not  sometimes  scribble 
to  employ  a  few  moments,  which  might  otherwise  be  spent  in 
idleness.  But  if  one  could  take  a  peep  at  us  these  few  days,  they 
would  well  think  that  there  was  no  idle  bread  eaten  on  board  the 
^'Brig  Levant,"  for  every  moment  has  been  employed  in  painting, 
scrubbing,  tarring,  and  all  other  kind  of  "ings"  that  well  could 
b'^  imagined,  so  that  now  we  make  quite  a  respectable  appear- 
ance, considering  our  rough  outward  passage. 

Sunday,  the  4th.  A  fine  day  and  a  good  breeze,  but  nothing 
remarkable  has  occurred'. 

Monday,  the  5th.  This  day,  about  twelve  o'clock,  our  eyes 
were  blessed  with  the  sight  of  land,  which  is  the  first  that  we 
have  seen  since  we  left  old  Ireland.  We  suppose  it  to  be  St.  Bar- 
tholemew.  The  sight  of  land  is  delightful  to  eyes  that  have  seen 
nothing  but  the  ocean  for  thirty-six  days.  The  mind  becomes 
tired  of  one  continual  object  before  it,  and  needs  a  change  to 
keep  it  in  an  active  and  happy  mood.  It  is  not  strange  to  me 
now  that  sailors  are  uneasy  and  restless  when  long  on  the  land. 


160 

Their  minds  are  so  much  accustomed  to  change  that  one  place 
has  too  much  quietness  to  satisfy  them. 

Tuesday,  the  6th.  We  have  been  sailing  all  day  by  islands,  and 
near  enough  to  see  the  mountainous  peaks  and  the  dark  ravines. 
The  most  of  them  are  covered  with  grass  and  a  small  growth  of 
stunted  trees,  which  look  as  though  the  sun  had  withered  them. 

We  are  now  approaching  St.  Thomas  and  can  clearly  discern 
the  castle  which  we  suppose  to  be  near  the  entrance  of  the  harbor, 
i^ow  the  harbor  opens  to  our  view  and'  several  vessels  are  in  sight. 
Tlie  view  of  the  town  in  the  distance  looks  quite  pretty.  We  now 
have  a  nearer  view.  The  town  is  situated  at  the  base  of  a  moun- 
t/iin,  the  principal  part  being  upon  a  small  hill,  gives  it  a  very 
picturesque  appearance.  The  buildings  are  painted  with  va- 
rious colors,  red,  white,  yellow  and  light  blue.  The  greater  part 
of  them  are  with  piazzas  upon  three  sides,  and  large  windows 
without  glass,  with  heavy  blinds,  which  are  closed  at  night  to 
keep  out  intruders  in  the  shape  of  mosquitoes,  etc. 

I  just  heard  the  tinkling  of  a  bell,  and  by  the  sound  I  presume 
that  the  inhabitants  are  Catholics. 

We  are  now  at  anchor,  and  there  is  a  boat  alongside  in  which 
the  captain  of  an  American  bark  who  sailed  from  N"ew  York  the 
day  that  we  did  for  Sligo,  but  met  with  an  accident  and  was 
obliged  to  put  in  here  for  repairs.  He  is  now  ready  to  start 
again  on  his  voyage.  We  are  waiting  for  a  visit,  but  the  visit 
boat  has  not  come,  and  B  is  tired  waiting.  He  could  wait  no 
longer,  but  has  gone  ashore,  which,  I  expect,  is  against  their 
regulations. 

Wednesday,  the  7th.  Have  spent  the  day  on  shore  but  did  not 
walk  about  town  much  being  a  stranger,  and  having  no  one  to 
go  with  me. 

I  saw  Blue  Beard's  castle.  It  is  situated  at  the  top  of  a  high 
hill  and  built  of  rough  stone,  probably  of  granite;  but  time  has 
turned  it  almost  black.  It  is  as  high  as  a  four-story  building 
with  windows  near  the  top.  Whether  there  are  any  at  the  bot- 
tom I  could  not  discern  in  the  distance.  I  thought  of  traveling 
to  it,  but  it  was  nearly  two  miles  distant,  and  a  journey  up  a 
Sleep  hill  in  the  hot  sun  I  concluded  would  not  be  very  agreeable, 
therefore  gave  it  up  and  contented  myself  with  a  spyglass  view. 
1  should  judge  from  its  appearance  that  it  would  well  accord 
with  Blue  Beard's  diabolical  feelings. 

I  sat  at  the  window  of  the  house  where  I  stopped  and  had  a 
good  view  of  people  who  were  passing  the  streets  continually. 
They  were  a  mixture  of  almost  every  nation  und'er  the  sun,  from 
Jew  to  the  Guinea  negro,  and  such  a  horrid  jargon  a^  their 


161 

mingled  voices  make !  Opposite  my  window  sat  a  colored  slave 
with  a  dozen  live  fowl  tied  by  the  legs.  Sometimes  she  would 
take  them  by  the  legs  with  their  heads  hanging  down  and  hold 
them  a  long  time;  then  with  a  desperate  jerk  twitch  a  quill  from 
their  wings  and  throw  them  down  again  with  the  most  perfect 
nonchalance,  not  thinking  that  the  poor  creatures  were  suffering 
under  her  cruel  treatment.  Near  her  sat  another  with  so  much 
fat  on  her  that  you  could  see  it  shake  every  time  she  spoke,  which 
was  quite  often  and  not  in  the  most  agreeable  manner,  either. 
I  should  think  her  a  real  vixen.  There  she  sat  with  a  few  nuts 
and  cakes  all  day  long  with  nothing  to  shelter  her  from  the  sun. 
But  as  the  shadows  lengthened,  she  began  to  nod. 

The  market  is  in  the  streets,  in  any  place  that  it  suits  the  in- 
dividual that  sells.  St.  Thomas  is  a  very  clean  place,  and  some 
of  the  streets  are  very  pretty.  I  got  tired,  and  was  very  glad 
when  B  came  for  me.  Then  I  hastily  put  on  my  bonnet  and 
shawl  and  bade  the  landlord  and  daughter  good-by,  and  walked 
to  the  quay.  I  stepped  into  the  boat  and  was  pulled  to  the  brig, 
which  was  under  way  as  soon  as  possible,  bound  to  Mayaguez. 
I  watched  St.  Thomas  until  nothing  could  be  seen  but  a  speck  to 
tell  where  it  was,  notwithstanding  a  tremendous  headache. 
Then  I  went  to  bed,  thinking  it  possible  it  was  the  last  time  that 
I  should  visit  it.  • 

Thursday,  the  8th.  This  morning  arose  quite  early  and  went 
on  deck.  Porto  Rico  was  all  in  sight  and  along  we  went  smoothly 
as  though  there  never  were  waves  nor  winds.  But  we  shall  noi 
get  to  our  destined  port  till  to-morrow. 

Friday,  the  9tli.  This  morning  at  ten  o'clock  we  came  to  an- 
chor in  the  harbor  of  Mayaguez,  and  B  has  now  gone  ashore  and 
I  am  all  alone. 

Saturday,  the  10th.  It  is  delightful  weather  in  this  place,  fine 
sea  breezes,  and  cool  enough  every  afternoon  for  comfort.  This 
is  quite  a  small  place ;  the  town  is  situated  nearly  two  miles  from 
the  shore,  where  the  mercantile  business  is  principally  carried 
on.  It  has  a  very  pretty  appearance  in  the  morning,  when  the 
Sim  is  just  throwing  his  golden  beams  upon  the  green  moun- 
tains, which  rise,  peak  after  peak,  high  from  the  back  of  the 
town.  The  tops  of  the  mountains  are  covered  with  a  soft  mist, 
which  the  rays  of  the  sun  scatter  into  the  dark  ravines  which  lie 
between. 

Little  clusters  of  dwellings  can  be  seen  scattered  along  the 
base  of  the  mountains,  and  even  upon  some  of  the  high  land, 
some  romantic  beings  have  fixed  their  rude  homes,  not  fearing 
the  cold  blasts  of  winter  with  which  we  Northerners  are  visited. 


162 

These  mountains  are  cultivated.  Far  up  their  sides  large 
fields  of  sugarcane  can  be  seen,  which,  being  of  a  light  green, 
contrasts  beautifully  with  the  shrubbery,  which  grows  all  around 
where  the  hand  of  man  has  not  removed  it,  and  also  with  the 
cocoanut  trees,  the  large  leaves  of  which  are  of  a  dark  green. 
The  whole  being  backed  by  the  deep,  blue  sky,  with  light,  fleecy 
clouds  floating  leisurely  here  and  there,  making  a  scene  worthy 
of  a  more  descriptive  hand  than  mine. 

Sunday,  the  11th.  The  boats  are  plenty  from  the  shore  this 
morning.  We  have  bought  cocoanuts,  oranges,  plantain,  bana- 
nas and  tamarinds. 

Afternoon.  We  are  spending  the  day  on  board  of  the  vessel 
as  we  have  no  acquaintances  on  shore. 

Tuesday.  B  and  myself  have  been  taking  a  bit  of  a  sail  in 
the  boat,  and  have  just  returned  and  found  the  cook  drunk  and 
no  supper  ready,  although  the  sun  is  down,  and  the  men  have 
quit  work.  What  is  to  be  done?  Why,  nothing  but  this:  B 
and  the  mate  have  made  the  tea,  aji'd'  I  have  set  the  table  and 
found  food  enough  to  make  out  a  decent  supper. 

W^ednesday,  the  14th.  I  have  been  ironing  some  clothes  which 
I  washed  yesterday,  and  feel  quite  tired  and  must  take  a  nap 
in  the  hammock. 

Thursday.  No  cargo  yesterday  nor  to-day,  which  is  lengthen- 
ing out  our  time  here.  We  shall  not  get  away  this  week  as  we 
have  hoped. 

Friday,  the  16th.  It  is  impossible  for  us  to  get  away  this 
week,  although  we  have  sugar  enough  now. 

Saturday,  the  17th.  What  shall  I  write?  Nothing  new  has 
occurred,  excepting  the  arrival  of  an  English  brig,  which  I  hoped 
would  prove  a  Yankee  when  I  saw  her  in  the  offing.  But 
we  shall  hear  nothing  from  home  until  we  arrive  in  the  States. 

Sunday,  the  18th.  As  often  as  the  morning  comes,  just  so 
often  I  go  on  deck  and  watch  for  a  vessel,  hoping  every  one 
that  arrives  will  prove  to  be  some  one  of  our  acquaintances. 
But  there  are  none  to  be  seen  to-day. 

Monday,  the  19th.  We  shall  have  our  cargo  on  board  to-mor- 
row, and  then  shall  head  for  New  York. 

Tuesday,  the  20th.  Everything  is  now  on  board  and  it  will 
take  all  day  to  get  things  in  readiness.  B  has  been  at  work 
quite  hard;  and  says  that  he  is  in  a  hurry  to  get  away  from  West 
India  climate,  for  he  is  sure  that  it  does  not  agree  with  him. 

Last  night,  after  we  had  retired,  Mr.  Currier  came  hastily  into 
the  cabin,  saying  that  the  captain  of  an  Americn  brig  was  dy- 
ing, and  that  they  had  sent  a  boat  for  Benjamin  to  come  on 


163 

board.  He  dressed  himself  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  wished 
me  to  go  with  him.  We  then  jumped  into  the  boat  and  went  on 
board  and  found'  the  master  a  very  sick  man.  His  wife  was 
standing  over  him  the  very  picture  of  woe.  B  went  immediately 
for  a  doctor.  He  came,  but  gave  his  opinion  that  the  patient 
was  past  hope,  and  that  medicine  was  of  no  use. 

We  stayed  all  night.  The  man  appeared  in  a  dying  state 
from  twelve  o'clock  until  morning,  speechless,  and  apparently 
unconscious.  In  the  morning  the  doctor  came  again  and  looked 
Jit  him,  then  turning  away  his  head  pronounced  him  a  dead  man, 
and'  left  him.  But  he  still  breathed,  and  his  poor  wife  hung 
over  him  almost  frantic.  "Oh,  did  he  bring  me  out  here  to  see 
him  die?"  she  would  say.  "Oh,  must  he  die?  Can  nothing  be 
done  to  save  him — must  we  leave  him  here?  No,  no,  he  must 
not  die — Oh,  if  I  could  only  die  in  his  place,  only  suffer  for 
him, — George,  George,  George."  But  the  sick  man  could  not 
answer.  Then  she  would  turn  away  in  agony.  "Ah,  he  can 
not  speak  to  me;  if  he  only  could  revive  enough  to  speak  one 
word  to  me.  Oh,  never  did  I  think  to  see  this — to  see  him  die — 
Is  he  dying; — do  tell  me?" 

After  the  'doctor  left  an  English  captain  came  on  board  and 
felt  his  pulse  and  said  that  it  was  quite  good;  that  his  opinion 
was  that  he  would  revive. 

We  then  put  some  wine  in  his  mouth  which  he  swallowed, 
and  in  a  short  time  he  opened  his  eyes,  and  looked  more  natural 
than  he  had  since  the  evening  before.  About  nine  o'clock  we 
left  them  and  came  on  board  and  got  some  breakfast.  B  went 
ashore  to  settle  up  his  business,  and  I  lay  down  to  get  a  nap, 
not  sleeping  any  all  night. 

In  the^  afternoon  we  went  back  again  and  found  him  certainly 
better.  W^e  stopped  as  long  as  we  conveniently  could,  and  left 
him,  thinking  that  if  he  remained  as  comfortable  as  he  then 
was  through  the  night,  that  he  might  recover.  But  we  must 
wait  until  we  arrive  at  New  York  to  hear,  as  immediately  after 
coming  on  board,  we  weighed  anchor  and  started  upon  our  home- 
ward passage,  at  five  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

Wednesday,  the  20th.  We  are  now  clear  of  the  land,  with  a  fine 
breeze,  aaid  to  add  to  our  happiness,  or  rather  uneasiness,  our 
vessel  is  leaking  very  badly  and  I  am  seasick. 

Saturday.  A  schooner  has  been  in  sight  some  hours,  and 
now  iias  just  lowered  her  boat  and  boarded  us.  She  is  a  whaler, 
and  belongs  to  Provincetown.  The  second  mate  is  sick  and 
wishes  to  get  home.  B  has  consented  to  take  him,  and  he  has 
come  on  board.     The  mate  has  just  informed  us  that  his  mat- 


164 

tress  is  is  fall  of  bedbugs.  Oh,  dear !  What  shall  we  do  ?  Can 
we  let  him  sleep  in  the  cabin?  We  shall  surely  be  annoyed  to 
death.  The  rats  are  enough  to  'devour  us  alive,  and  if  we  have 
bui>s  into  the  bargain.     Hem  ! 

Sinday,  the  25th.  A  delightful  morning.  The  sun  shines 
bright  and  clear,  a  gentle  breeze  is  moving  us  along  over  the 
smooth  waters,  and  sky,  air  and  the  ocean  all  proclaim  this  the 
the  Sabbath,  even  if  we  do  not  hear  the  church-going  bell  nor  see 
the  old  and  young  gathering  round  the  church  to  listen  to  the 
oracles  of  truth  from  the  man  of  God,  who  proclaims  it  from  the 
sacred  desk. 

Monday,  the  26th.  Our  breeze  freshens  a  little,  which  en- 
courages us  to  hope  that  one  week  more  will  carry  us  to  the  city 
of  I^ew  York. 

Our  passenger  is  quite  unwell,  nevertheless,  he  enlarges  con- 
siderably upon  the  delights  of  whaling,  and  if  I  should  express 
my  candid  opinion,  I  should  say  that  his  mind  did  not  extend 
farther  than  a  whaling  voyage,  and  that  his  highest  ambition 
was  to  kill  a  whale 

Wednesday,  the  23d.  I  have  now  completed  the  last  of  my 
work,  which  I  carried  with  me  to  do  this  voyage,  and  I  cannot  be 
long  entirely  idle  without  being  very  uneasy.  B  has  been  job- 
bing about  to-day,  doing  a  little  here  and  there  to  divert  his 
attention  from  this  head  wind,  which  is  lengthening  out  our  voy- 
age at  a  "confounded  rate,"  as  Brother  Joseph  would  say  if  he 
were  here. 

It  is  now  entirely  calm  and  I  hope  that  the  wind  will  conde- 
scend to  blow  the  right  way  arid  help  us  along  as  fast  as  possible, 
for  I  am  in  somewhat  of  a  hurry  to  hear  from  the  friends  that  we 
left  behind  us. 

When  we  were  in  Mayaguez,  B  bought  three  guinea  pigs,  being 
informed  that  they  would  drive  away  the  rats,  but  they  were 
of  no  use  at  all,  and  have  all  died. 

Friday,  the  30th.  We  are  having  just  now  a  glorious  breeze, 
and  shall  soon  be  in  the  gulf  stream  if  this  continues.  As  I  have 
nothing  new  to  write  I  will  just  add  that  the  cook  caught  six 
rats  last  night,  which  I  presume  will  not  make  the  least  differ- 
ence in  their  numbers.  They  run  over  me  while  I  am  lying  in 
my  berth.  I  almost  think  them  as  plenty  as  they  were  when  the 
children  of  Israel  were  afflicted  with  them.  It  is  really  a  vex- 
ation, for  nothing  is  secure  against  them. 

Saturday,  May  1st.  Disappointment.  About  twelve  o'clock 
to-'day  we  passed  a  bottle  with  the  neck  out  of  water.  I  was  be- 
low at  the  time,  and  heard  the  conversation  that  was  passing  on 


165 

deck  and  thought  that  I  should  like  much  to  know  what  was  in 
the  said  bottle.  Accordingly  proceeded  to  the  deck  and  rather 
urged  B  to  lower,  the  boat  and  go  and  get  it.  He  consented,  and 
went  and  obtained  it.  But  upon  examination  it  was  found  to 
contain,  not  a  letter  from  some  poor,  shipwrecked  mortals  (just 
about  to  resign  themselves  forever  to  their  last  sleep)  to  a  friend 
that  they  have  on  land,  hoping  that  chance  might  divert  it  to 
the  shore  where  some  one  migth  open  it  and  read.  No.  But 
what  did  it  contain  ?  You  wish  to  know  by  this  time,  I  suppose. 
Well,  it  was  all  covered  with  barnacles,  and  from  its  appearance 
1  should  judge  that  it  might  have  been  in  the  ocean  two  years. 
I  took  it  from  the  hands  of  one  of  the  men  that  was  in  the  boat, 
and  must  assure  you  that  my  heart  was  beating  with  expecta- 
tion when  I  put  it  to  my  eye  and  saw — what?  What  was  it! 
Nothing,  absolutely  nothing!  All  that  pains  was  for  nothing 
but  an  empty  rum  bottle ! !  However,  as  it  was  very  moderate 
it  did  not  delay  the  brig's  progress  much,  and  B  had  the  pleasure 
of  an  excursion  upon  the  ocean. 

May  the  2d.  As  I  did  not  go  a-Maying  yesterday  I  will  ven- 
ture to  imagine  that  it  is  the  case  to-day.  If  I  gather  any  flow- 
ers they  must  be  flowers  that  upon  the  ocean  grow,  without  the 
assistance  of  cultivation,  except  from  the  monsters  of  the  deep, 
or  peradvenure,  a  mermaid  has  sown  the  seeds  with  her  tiny 
hands,  and  they  are  guarded  by  the  golden  dolphin  until  they 
spring  up  and  show  where  they  will  bloom;  while  the  mermaid 
sings  her  song  to  enchant  the  mermen  that  may  be  passing  by 
into  the  cavern  that  she  inhabits,  there  to  regale  themselves  with 
the  nectar  that  she  invites  them  to  partake,  while  she  seeks  the 
dolphin's  abode  to  gather  a  bouquet  of  flowers  to  coquette  with. 

Since^  Thursday  we  have  caught  seventeen  rats,  but  that  has 
not  diminished  their  numbers  apparently. 

Monday,  the  3d.  We  are  now  on  soundings  and  such  a  change 
a^  it  has  made  one  would  hardly  believe.  Last  evening  it  was 
so  warm  as  to  be  very  uncomfortable,  but  before  morning  it 
was  cold  enough  for  a  fire.  I  have  changed  my  thin  clothes  for 
such  as  will  better  become  this  climate. 

Tuesday,  the  4th.  This  morning  has  risen  upon  us  under 
much  more  favorable  auspices  than  last  evening  closed,  for  in- 
stead of  a  head  wind  we  can  now  head  our  course,  but  still  are 
"braced  up  sharp." 

A  little  land  bird  is  hopping  about  the  rigging.  I  suppose 
that  it  has  been  blown  off  the  land  and  is  now  glad  to  find'  a 
place  to  rest  its  weary  wings.  Poor  thing,  stay  with  us  until 
W€  arrive  in  port,  and  then  thou  shalt  go  to  thy  mate,  who  must 


166 

be  sorrowing  for  thee  ere  this.  One  of  the  men  has  caught  the 
bird  and  brought  it  to  me.  I  put  it  in  my  workbasket;  it  did 
not  lie  still,  but  appeared  very  uneasy.  I  peeped  into  the  bas- 
ket and  saw  its  dying  struggle ;  it  fluttered  its  feeble  wings  and 
opened  its  tin}-  mouth,  then  dropped  on  its  side  and  stretched  it- 
self and  was  gone.     Gone  where?     Oh,  where? 

Thursday,  the  6th.  Here  we  are  banging  about  with  the  wind 
dead  ahead  and  no  prospect  of  getting  in  very  soon.  A  pilot 
boat  is  in  sight  and  B  is  in  a  quandary  whether  to  take  a  pilot  or 
not.  The  boat  has  hailed  us;  what  is  best  to  do,  take  one  or 
not?  I  say  no,  we  do  not  want  a  pilot  here  two  or  three  days, 
and  surely  there  is  no  prospect  of  getting  in  at  present. 

"Brig,  ahoy!     Do  j^ou  want  a  pilot?" 

"I  shall  take  one  but  pay  nothing  off  shore,"  was  B's  an- 
swer. Thev  consulted  a  moment  then  said,  "Heave  to."  Ac- 
cordingly  it  was  done,  and  a  boat  put  out  in  a  trice  and  boarded 
us  with  a  pilot,  who  appears  to  be  a  very  civil  person,  and  has 
a  head  almost  white,  but  not  a  particle  of  gray  about  it. 

Friday,  the  7th.  I  awoke  this  morning  and  found  the  brig 
rolling  and  pitching  about  like  a  mad  thing,  and  as  I  felt  sea- 
sick 'did  not  rise  till  half  past  nine  o'clock.  The  wind  was  blow- 
ing very  fresh,  the  clouds  were  gathering  fast,  the  barometer 
falling.  Such  was  the  state  of  matters  in  the  morning;  and 
soon  B  began  to  talk  of  reefing  do^^ai  and  then  the  drops  of 
rain  fell;  then  such  a  rummaging  all  over  the  cabin  for 
sou' westers,  oil  clothes,  comforters,  India  rubber  Jackets,  woolen 
stockings,  etc., — ominous  signs.  And  surely  it  did  set  in  blow- 
ing and  raining  with  a  heavy  cross  sea,  and  the  brig  nowhere 
near  her  course.     0,  dear !    When  shall  we  get  in  ? 

Saturday.  The  wind  has  gone  down,  and  the  heavy  sea 
smoothed  itself  quite  nicel}',  but  we  want  a  fair  wind  the  most 
of  anything  at  present. 

Evening.  The  wind  is  now  fair,  but  very  light.  Xo  com- 
plaining with  it  this  way. 

Sunday,  the  9th.  We  have  finally  got  through  the  narrows, 
and  anchored  in  full  sight  of  Xew  York.  It  is  rather  per- 
plexing to  bo  at  anchor  here,  now  we  are  so  near,  but  so  it 
must  be. 

Mondav,  the  10th.  At  one  o'clock  the  wind  breezed  up 
enough  to  fill  the  sails,  and  at  last  we  are  safe  in  New  York. 

Evening.  Have  just  taken  a  cab  and  driven  to  the  Pearl 
Street  House,  there  to  remain  for  a  few  days.  I  hardly  dare 
trust  myself  out  of  my  room,  for  fear  of  being  lost. 


167 

Tuesday,  11th.  There  is  an  Englishman  and  lady  stopping 
at  the  house,  a  fine  looking  man  indeed.  The  rotundity  of  his 
abdomen  at  once  bespoke  his  nation.  I  have  conversed  consid- 
erably with  them.  They  are  traveling  for  pleasure,  and  this 
forenoon  have  visited  the  picture  gallery,  but  were  disappointed 
in  the  paintings,  as  their  taste  had  been  vitiated  by  previously 
visiting  "the  much  more  splendid  ones  of  Paris." 

Wednesday,  the  13th.  The  house  can  lodge  between  three  and 
four  hundred  persons,  and  employs  twenty-five  girls  and  quite  as 
many  colored  men  as  servants.  Their  expenses  must  be  great, 
and  well  they  might  be,  for  they  charge  a  dollar  a  day  for  each 
boarder,  so  our  board  will  amount  to  fourteen  dollars  per  week. 

Saturday,  the  15th.  I  feel  rather  lonely  as  I  have  no  ac- 
quaintance here,  and  B  is  gone  all  day.  I  walked  out  to-day, 
but  was  glad  to  come  back  again,  for  my  shoes  pinched  my 
feet  so  bad  that  it  was  almost  torture  for  me  to  walk. 

The  English  j^eople  have  left  for  Newport,  where  they  will 
remain  a  short  time,  then  return  to  this  place. 

Sunday.  Afternoon.  B  and  myself  concluded  to  go  to 
church,  accordingly  dressed  and  walked  out,  but  could  find  no 
church  that  we  could  find  a  seat,  and  after  walking  through 
Broadway  we  returned  and  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  at  home. 

Monday.  I  have  formed  quite  an  agreeable  acquaintance  with 
Capt.  Sampson  and  wife.  She  is  a  very  sociable  lady.  It 
makes  it  very  pleasant  to  find  in  our  concourse  with  the 
world,  people  with  whom  we  can  associate  as  freely  as  though 
they  were  old  acquaintances. 

Wednesday,  the  9th.  We  are  now  ready  to  sail.  The  car- 
riage is  at  the  door,  and  I  must  eat  a  mouthful  and  run. 

Thursday,  the  20th.  We  are  now  fairly  at  sea,  with  a  fine 
breeze  and  a  cook  that  knows  just  nothing  at  all.  B  has  had 
to  tell  him  everything  that  he  has  done,  even  to  scouring  out 
his  boilers  and  washing  his  dishes. 

Friday,  the  28th.  One  week  has  passed  since  I  wrote  any- 
thing, and  during  this  time  have  been  blessed  with  a  head  wind 
the  whole  continual  time  without  changing.  B  has  been  quite 
unwell,  but  is  better  to-day.  The  cook  is  getting  along  much 
better  than  we  prophesied  upon  our  first  coming  out.  He  can 
get  the  meals  without  help,  and  appears  to  be  quite  neat,  and 
very  obliging. 

It  is  quite  discouraging  to  be  harrassed  with  head  winds  all 
the  time,  when  we  wish  to  make  a  quick  passage.  Change,  oh 
thou  wind,  and  blow  us  along  to  Sagua  La  Grande. 


168 

It  is  evening,  and  I  have  spent  the  whole  of  the  day  at  work 
upon  a  pocket  handkerchief  and  now  ana  reflecting  how  much 
needless  work  I  have  bestowed  upon  such  a  trifling  article.  Oh, 
what  is  time — time  that  is  wasted? 

Sunday,  the  30th.  No  change  yet.  The  wind  still  ahead, 
and  no  prospect  as  yet  of  its  being  otherwise.  We  came  away 
from  New  York  without  procuring  any  books  to  read,  which 
T  consider  a  sad  misfortune,  for  those  that  we  have,  have  been 
read  through  and  through.  B  is  reading  aloud,  so  I  must  stop 
writing  or  may  inadvertantly  write  what  he  is  reading. 

Saturday,  the  5th.  We  have  a  fine  breeze  now.  Abaco 
lighthouse  is  in  sight;  we  shall  soon  be  on  the  Bahama  Banks, 
and  shall,  in  all  probability,  be  over  before  morning.  There 
are  quite  a  number  of  vessels  in  sight ;  one  that  was  in  company 
with  us  two  days  ago  and  before  night  was  out  of  sight  ahead', 
is  now  some  miles  astern. 

Sunday,  the  6th.  All  clear  of  the  banks.  Left  them  this 
morning  at  six  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  the  8th.  Arrived  at  Sagua  this  day  at  twelve 
o'clock. 

Saturday,  the  12th.  It  is  an  exceedingly  warm  morning; 
scarcely  a  breath  of  air  is  stirring,  and  the  thermometer  stand- 
ing at  eighty. 

This  is  a  very  lonesome  place,  not  but  two  buildings  in  sight. 
No  society,  excepting  from  the  vessels,  which  are  lying  at 
anchor.  I  do  not  expect  to  see  a  female  while  here.  Nor 
to  step  my  foot  on  shore.  Pleasure  did  not  induce  B  to 
come  to  this  place.  His  society  induced  me ;  were  it  not  for  that 
I  and  old  Neptune  would  cut  acquaintance  at  once. 

Our  crew  are  a  very  troublesome  set;  two  of  them  are  boys, 
and  the  two  older  ones  do  all  in  their  power  to  make  them  bad, 
I   think. 

Friday,  the  2 2d.  I  have  neglected  writing  for  a  long  time, 
during  which  time  several  things  of  importance  have  occurred. 
Last  Sunday  night  B  was  taken  out  of  his  head ;  which  was  oc- 
casioned by  his  being  in  the  sun  too  long.  He  was  so  violent 
that  we  thought  best  to  send  for  Capt.  Davis  and  Capt.  French. 
It  took  three  men  to  hold  him;  but  the  paroxysm  did  not  last 
long.  They  tried  to  bleed  him,  but  could  not  succeed,  owing  to 
a  very  dull  lance.  The  next  morning  Captain  Davis  succeeded 
in  getting  nearly  a  pint  from  him,  which  relieved  his  head  im- 
mediately. I  am  happy  to  say  that  now  he  is  almost  as  well 
aii  usual. 


169 

There  are  now  two  American  ladies  in  the  harbor,  one  of 
them  I  have  not  yet  seen,  but  expect  her  on  board  to-morrow. 
It  is  rather  lonely  here.  I  have  not  seen  a  female  belonging  to 
this  place  yet,  and  probably  shall  not  at  all. 

Sunday,  the  24th.  Onr  vessel  is  now  piled  up  on  deck  sky 
high,  there  being  scarcely  room  to  get  out  and  in  of  her.  I 
am  almost  sick,  and  feel  as  though  lying  here  a  few  weeks  longer 
would  nearly  finish  nue.  I  hope  we  shall  sail  before  another 
Sunday.  The  air  is  thick;  my  spirits  are  at  a  very  low  ebb. 
Oh,  dear  !     What  shall  I  do  ? 

July  4th.  We  are  now  leaving  the  port  of  Sagua.  This 
morning  at  daylight,  six  captains  with  their  boats'  crews,  came 
on  board  to  help  us  off,  which  looked  very  kind  indeed,  and  soon 
we  weighed  anchor  and  were  off. 

Sunday,  the  11th.  We  are  now  as  far  north  as  Cape  Hatteras, 
and  think  that  one  week  more  will  carry  us  to  New  York.  It 
is  not  very  pleasant  to  be  loaded  with  sugar  and  molasses;  the 
smell  arising  from  it  is  very  annoying. 

Everything  in  the  cabin  is  entirely  covered  with  a  whitish 
coat,  which,  with  the  smell  of  the  gas  made  by  the  heated 
sweetening,  is  at  times  almost  intolerable;  but  I  hope  that  the 
worst  of  it  is  now  over,  as  we  are  in  much  colder  weather  than 
we  have  been.  The  thermometer  three  days  ago  stood  at  92 
in  the  cabin  where  the  sun  does  not  shine  for  the  day,  and  on 
the  top  of  the  house  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  hold  my  hand 
without  blistering  it. 

I  have  not  much  to  amuse  me  now,  as  I  have  nearly  com- 
pleted the  quantity  of  work  that  I  allotted  myself  to  perform 
so  I  sit^on  deck  and  watch  the  eary  birds  skipping  gracefully 
over  the  waves,  just  touching  lightly  the  glassy  surface  with 
their  tiny  feet,  watching  for  something,  which,  peradventure, 
the  vessels  may  'drop  in  their  progress  over  the  world  of  waters. 

It  is  a  matter  of  wonder  to  me  how  these  little  creatures 
live;  ever  on  the  wing  as  they  appear  to  be.  Where  do  they 
make  their  nests,  and  where  hatch  their  young?  I  have  seen 
them  more  than  a  thousand  miles  from  the  shore,  and  wondered 
if  they  were  ever  tired;  or  if,  when  night  came,  they  had  no 
place  to  rest  their  weary  little  wings.  I  should  much  like  to 
learn  the  history  of  these  birds,  or  Mother  Gary's  chickens,  as 
they   ai^   called. 

Thursday,  the  14th.  We  have  made  our  passage  in  ten 
days,  which  is  much  sooner  than  I  calculated  upon  when  we 
left  Sagua,  and  are  now  lying  within  speaking  'distance  from 
the  wharves  of  New  York. 


170 

Voyage  from  Portland  to  Havana,  January  16,  1848. 
Sunday,  the  16tli.  We  left  Thompson's  hotel  this  morning, 
where  we  had  comfortaly  spent  four  weeks,  and  took  a  cab 
to  Central  wharf ;  from  thence  stepped  into  a  boat  and  were  soon 
on  board  of  the  bark  Agenora.  The  wind  being  light,  we  did 
not  get  under  way  until  afternoon,  when  all  sails  were  set,  and 
we  bade  farewell  to  our  native  hills,  and  proceeded  upon  our 
voyage. 

Monday.  We  have  had  quite  a  comfortable  time  so  far,  and 
I  have  not  experienced  the  horror  of  seasickness  yet.  I  have 
arranged  my  workbasket  before  me,  so  if  I  should  feel  a  dispo- 
sition to  work  I  could  do  so. 

Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday.  For  three  days  I  have  been 
under  the  influence  of  old  N^eptune,  I  suppose,  for  I  have  been 
continually  casting  up  my  accounts.     Oh,  dear!     Oh,  dear! 

Sunday.  Pleasant  and  a  fair  wind,  but  the  Agenora  is  a 
dull  sailing  vessel  and  leaks  badly. 

Monday.     A  fine  breeze  and  we  are  going  along  comfortably. 

Saturday.  We  are  now  near  the  Hole  in  the  Wall,  and  hope  to 
see  it  before  night.  Last  night  we  spoke  a  ship  from  Havre 
bound  to  Orleans,  the  first  vessel  that  we  have  spoken  since  we 
came  out.  I  think  she  sailed  well,  for  in  seven  hours  from  the 
time  we  first  saw  her,  she  passed  us  and  was  soon  far  away. 

Monday.  We  are  upon  the  Bahama  Banks,  and  there  is 
not  so  much  water  as  u,*iual.  o 

February  2d.  Wednesday.  Here  we  are  fast  aground  upon 
the  banks  and  the  tide  is  leaving  us,  and  only  two  fathoms  of 
water. 

Thursday,  the  3d.  We  fortunately  got  off  without  difficulty, 
which  was  more  than  we  expected  to  do. 

Friday.  Nothing  but  head  winds  since  Monday,  and  there 
is  quite  a  fleet  of  vessels  at  anchor,  ready  to  improve  the  first 
fair  wind. 

Saturday.     At  last  a  breeze  has  favored  us. 

Sunday.  We  are  now  in  sight  of  Matanzas,  and  hope  to  be 
at  Havana  to-morrow. 

Monday  morning.  A  nice  breeze  and  we  are  going  along 
finely. 

Afternoon.  We  are  now  at  anchor  after  a  passage  of  twenty - 
one  days.  It  is  much  colder  than  I  ever  felt  it  in  the  West  In- 
dies before,  and  I  do  really  need  a  shawl  to  make  myself  com- 
fortable, arid  my  feet  are  almost  frozen.  A  cold  norther  is  the 
cause  of  all  this. 


171 

Thursday.  An  officer  has  just  come  aboard,  to  stay,  I  suppose, 
until  we  are  discharged.  He  is  sitting  in  a  chair  where  B  sat 
him,  minutely  scrutinizing  everything  he  sees  around  him.  I 
suppose  that  he  cannot  speak  English,  so  I  will  not  attempt  to 
talk  with  him.     B  seems  to  be  very  busy  to-day. 

Sunday,  the  12th.  This  morning  I  rose  quite  early  and  went 
with  B  to  market,  and  such  a  hubbub  and  jabbering;  we  pur- 
chased lettuce,  tomatoes,  plantain,  green  corn,  radishes,  garlic, 
peppers,  beef. 

Evening.  A  beautiful  moonlight  evening,  but  there  is  a  tre- 
mendous wind  which  makes  the  very  rigging  whistle  right  out. 
There  is  music  ashore,  drums  and  fife,  and  I  don't  know  what 
not.  I  presume  that  there  is  a  play  at  the  theater,  or  a  bull 
fight  or  something  of  the  sort  to  desecrate  the  Sabbath. 

I  don't  know  how  long  we  shall  lie  here ;  business  is  exceed- 
ingly dull,  and  the  harbor  is  full  of  vessels.  The  times  look 
discouraging. 

Friday,   the   17th.     Last   evening   went   ashore   in   company  \ 
with   Captain   Frank   Soule   and  lady,  and'  Captain   Harding. 
We  walked  through  the  governor's  yard  and  heard  the  music, 
then  partook  of  ice  creams  and  waited  for  our  boat,  which  did 
not  come  to  the  right  place  for  us  through  a  mistake. 

I  feel  very  lonely  at  times,  especially  when  B  is  ashore. 
I  should  be  glad  to  spend  more  time  than  I  generally  do 
on  shore,  for  it  is  very  little  use  to  go  to  a  place,  unless  we  can 
have  the  privilege  of  walking  around  and  seeing  all  there  is  to 
be  seen.  I  should  judge  by  what  I  have  seen,  that  this  is  the 
finest  city  among  the  West  Indies 

Sunday,  the  20th.  Frank  and  wife  have  come  to  spend  the 
day  witlf  us.  It  is  a  most  delightful  morning.  The  air  beau- 
tifully clear  and  exhilarating, — ^such  is  the  month  of  Februajry 
with  us. 

Afternoon.  Captain  H  wishes  us  to  go  and  take  supper  with 
him,  and  if  all  parties  agree  to  it  we  shall  go.     They  all  say  go. 

Monday,  the  21st.  We  all  dined  on  board  of  the  Capt.  Hard- 
ing and  spent  the  evening  in  singing. 

A  few  days  ago  a  slave  killed  his  master  by  stabbing  him. 
His  punishment  was  to  have  his  head  twitched  from  his  body, 
then  to  be  dragged  through  the  streets,  for  a  warning  to  all 
others  who  should  be  tempted  to  do  the  like  deed. 

Tuesday.  Waishington'a  birthday.  Every  American  vessel 
in  the  harl)or  has  hoisted  all  its  flags  in  remembrance  of  the 
Father  of  our  Country.  We  have  an  invitation  to  take  supper 
with  Captain  Sweetser,  but  B  thinks  it  best  not  to  go. 


172 

What  would  our  friends  at  home  think  to  see  us  dressed  in 
thin  muslin,  and  sitting  on  a  marble  bench  in  the  open  air,  with 
heads  uncovered  in  the  moonshine,  for  hours  without  being  cold 
in  the  month  of  February?  Yet  it  \s  even  so;  the  mild  climate 
here  will  adlnit  of  even  this  now. 

Our  officer  has  left  us,  having  performed  his  duty.  B  spends 
a  considerable  part  of  the  day  ashore,  and  I  have  no  one  to 
talk  with,  which  makes  me  at  times  very  lonesome. 

Monday,  the  28th.  A  Spaniard  has  just  been  aboard.  He 
is  a  noted  smuggler.  A  fine,  erect  form,  and  full  black  eye, 
with  a  large  mustache,  and  a  long,  deep  scar  extending  from 
his  chin  to  his  ear,  complete  to  my  mind's  eye,  a  regular 
smuggler,  and  such  he  was.  He  enlarged  greatly  upon  the 
bad  laws  of  his  country,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  females 
were  kept.  They  are  not  allowed  to  go  out  in  the  daytime 
unless  they  ride,  and  even  then  they  must  be  accompanied  by 
some  of  their  friends ;  and  they  consider  it  horrible  to  leave  an 
unmarried  female  alone  in  the  house,  but  if  she  has  a  married 
sister  with  her,  whose  age  is  not  one-half  that  of  her  own,  it  is 
all  right  and  proper. 

Tuesday,  the  29th.  Mrs.  S  is  here  and  we  think  of  going  to 
a  party  this  evening  on  board  of  Capt.  Sawyer's  brig.  Parties 
are  all  the  go  now.  I  have  been  to  two,  and  had  several  invita- 
tions, but  did'  not  think  it  best  to  go. 

We  did  go  and  a  fine  time  we  had,  too.  There  were  about  thirty 
there — six  Spanish  ladies  who  seemed  to  enjoy  themselves  much. 

March  6th.  Yesterday  Captain  Soule  and  family  came  on 
board  to  spend  the  day  with  us;  in  the  afternoon  we  all  went 
ashore  and  took  a  short  walk,  then  we  concluded  that  we  would 
try  a  ride  in  one  of  the  comical  carriages  of  the  place.  Accord- 
ingly we  stepped  into  one  and  away  we  trotted  at  a  slow  pace, 
with  the  driver  seated  upon  the  horse.  He  agreed  to  drive  us 
an  hour  for  eighty  cents,  and  after  he  had  driven  us  as  far  as  he 
thought  proper,  he  came  to  a  full  stop  so  we  alighted'  and 
walked  around  and  gathered  a  beautiful  bouquet,  and  regaled 
our  senses  with  the  delightful  perfume  of  the  country  air. 

After  we  had  satisfied  ourselves  with  rambling,  the  old  darkev 
turned  his  vehicle  and  we  got  in,  and  as  we  rode  back  we  had 
one  of  the  most  favorable  opportunities  imaginable  to  see  the 
fashionables,  as  they  had  all  paraded  themselves  in  a  pub- 
lie  walk  to  see  their  new  general  who  was  to  ride  out,  and  indeed 
w?  met  him  and  his  escort. 

Among  other  things  we  saw  the  masqueraders  parading 
through  the  streets,  some  of  them  were  the  most  hideous  looking 
creatures  that  I   ever   saw. 


173 

Well,  after  we  had  been  gone  one  hour  and  forty  minutes, 
we  were  landed  where  we  started  fri)m,  and  our  driver  wanted 
two   dollars   for   his   services. 

Saturday,  the  8th.  We  are  now  at  Matanzas,  where  we  were 
ordered  to  complete  our  cargo.  We  started  yesterday  morning, 
and  arrived  this  morning.  Oh,  how  I  suffered  from  seasick- 
ness ;  although  it  was  only  for  a  short  time,  yet  it  seemed  almost 
as  much  as  human  nature  could  bear.  W^hat  I  am  to  do  during 
our  voyage  to  Hamburg,  I  cannot  tell,  but  I  am  here,  and  must 
go,  live  or  die. 

Thursday,  the  23d.  This  morning  at  four  o'clock  got  under 
way;  the  wind  breezed  lightly  from  the  land,  so  we  were  for- 
tunate enough  to  get  out,  and  now  we  have  commenced  our  voy- 
across  the  Atlantic.  I  feel  somewhat  different  than  I  did  while 
contemplating  it.  My  fears  have  nearly  subsided  concerning 
the  tedious  hours  which  will  intervene  between  the  present  time 
and  the  time  of  our  arrival  there. 

It  is  so  pleasant  to-day  that  one  would  hardly  imagine  that 
the  placid  and  calm  waters  could  ever  be  lashed  into  foamy 
mountains  reaching  apparently  to  the  very  clouds ;  but  although 
the  sky  now  looks  smiling  and  the  breeze  light,  yet,  before 
another  morning  shines  upon  our  head,  we  may  be  in  the  midst 
of  a  tempest,  such  as  we  never  before  witnessed. 

Three  o'clock.  B  has  laid  himself  down  to  take  a  little  nap, 
the  men  are  busy  securing  every  movable  thing  on  deck,  while  I 
am  doing  nothing  but  watching  the  vessel  which  started  with  us 
this  morning,  and  is  outsailing  us  shamefuly.  We  are  loaded 
very  deep  and  the  vessel's  bottom  is  very  foul,  owing  to  our  ly- 
ing so  long  at  Havana.  Just  after  we  started  I  took  a  look 
over  the  stern  at  the  rudder,  which  was  covered  with  barnacles 
and  long  grass.  Who  wonders  if  we  make  a  long  passage? 
Not  I. 

April  10th.  We  have  now  been  out  eighteen  'days,  and  thus 
far  have  had  no  bad  weather.  We  go  along  slowly  and  are  not 
yet  so  far  east  as  the  Newfoundland  Banks.  To-day  the 
weather  is  fine,  and  the  sea  so  smooth  that  I  have  exercised  con- 
siderably, which  is  a  great  relief  to  me,  for  I  am  obliged  for 
the  most  of  the  time  to  keep  very  still,  especially  if  there  is 
much  motion  to  the  vessel.  I  have  had  my  usual  share  of  sea- 
sickness since  we  sailed,  and  do  not  presume  to  think  that  it 
is  all  over  yet;  if  it  should  become  rough  and  boisterous,  I 
should  be  sick  before  two  hours  had  expired. 

Thursday,,  the  13th.  We  have  known  but  little  what  bad 
weather  is  as  yet,  and  do  hope  that  we  shall  be  so  fortunate  as 


174 

to  arrive  at  our  destined  port  in  safety.  I  do  sometimes  feel 
very  impatient  for  the  time  to  pass  away,  but  I  know  that  my 
days  will  be  just  so  many  less. 

Tuesday,  the  19th.  This  morning  we  passed  a  ship  home- 
ward bound.  We  exchanged  latitude  and  longitude,  showed 
our  colors,  and  then  passed  on.  We  have  had  head  wind's  a 
good  part  of  the  time  since  we  came  out,  but  now  have  been 
blessed  with  a  favorable  breeze  for  the  past  twenty-four  hours, 
and,  if  it  will  only  last,  how  thankful  we  shall  be. 

I  have  not  much  to  employ  my  time  about,  except  reading, 
and  I  soon  get  tired  of  that;  it  is  uncomfortable  reading  long 
at  a  time  while  the  vessel  is  in  continual  motion. 

April  2 2d.  We  have  a  most  delightful  breeze  which  has 
lasted  three  days.  We  have  gone  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles 
the  last  twenty-four  hours,  which  is  very  encouraging. 

Wednesday,  the  26th.  I  have  been  on  deck  for  the  last  two 
hours,  and  have  strained  my  eyes  in  every  direction  to  get  a 
glimpse  of  a  vessel,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  We  have  now  been 
out  thirty-five  days,  and  it  is  not  strange  that  the  eye  is  tired 
of  gazing  upon  the  everlasting  waters  below,  here  and  there 
occasionally  dotted'  with  a  white  sail,  and  the  blue  sky  above, 
''Ever  changing,  still  the  same.''  Yes,  we  are  truly  a  little 
world  of  our  own;  every  day  the  same  faces  greet  us,  the  same 
voices  sound  in  our  ears, — no  change,  no  variety.  The  sails  are 
furled  and  again  spread  to  catch  the  breeze;  yes,  even  the  same 
wind  blows,  only  occasionaly  changing  its  quarters,  still  it  is 
the  same. 

Oh,  what  would  I  not  give  for  one  handful  of  flowers  fresh 
from  the  garden?  They  would  be  like  gold  to  my  senses,  yes, 
far  preferable. 

Friday,  the  28th.  We  are  now  almost  by  the  Western  Islands, 
and  very  glad  am  I.  Oh,  dear !  how  the  bark  is  pitching, 
almost  enough  to  jump  one's  eye  teeth  out  and  I  am  sick. 

Saturday,  the  29th.  We  have  just  spoken  a  Bremen  bark 
whose  deck  was  covered  with  passengers.  It  was  a  cheering 
sight  to  come  in  full  view  at  once  of  so  many  human  faces. 
After  being  so  long  shut  out  of  the  world,  it  did  create  quite  a 
sensation  in  my  breast  to  see  the  freight  of  human  souls.  They 
waved  their  handkerchiefs  and  made  such  a  noise  that  it 
was  impossible  to  distinctly  hear  what  their  longitude  was, 
although  B  was  quite  anxious  to  ascertain  whether  his  chromom- 
eter  was  right  or  not.  They  passed  quickly  by,  and  were  gone. 
So  it  is  with  things  on  the  ocean, — we  have  but  a  momentary 
interview  and  part. 


175 

May  2d.  This  morning  at  eleven  o'clock  we  spoke  a  French 
ship  bound  to  Havre.  As  we  are  nearing  the  English  Channel, 
we  see  vessels  quite  plenty.  1  hope  that  we  shall  be  on  sound- 
ings to-morrow  if  the  wind  stands  where  it  is  now.  There 
seems  to  be  some  prospect  of  our  getting  over  the  broad  At- 
lantic at  last,  although  we  are  yet  a  thousand  miles  from  Ham- 
burg; but  if  we  can  only  see  the  land  it  will  be  quite  a  treat, 
after  seeing  nothing  but  sky  and'  water  for  six  long  weeks. 
But  as  we  have  been  blessed  so  far  by  not  experiencing  any  se- 
vere gales^  I  will  not  murmur  nor  complain  if  we  do  have  a 
long  passage. 

Friday,  ithe  5th.  Yesterday  morning  sounded  and  found 
bottom,  which  was  quite  a  satisfaction,  after  being  so  long 
where  no  bottom  can  be  obtained. 

Saturday,  the  6th.  At  two  o'clock  saw  the  land,  and  it  is 
surely  very  pleasant  to  see  once  more  Mother  Earth,  if  it  is 
not  my  native  land.  I  often,  in  childhood,  when  studying 
geography,  have  found  Lizard's  Point,  and  little  did  I  think 
that  my  eyes  would  ever  behold  it,  but  it  now  lies  before  me. 

We  have  just  received  the  intelligence  that  the  river  Elbe 
is  blockaded,  which,  being  true,  I  suppose  we  shall  not  be  able 
to  proceed  to  Hamburg.  We  shall  not,  however,  put  much 
confidence  in  the  pilot's  report  until  it  is  better  verified. 

Now  we  are  slowly  proceeding  on  our  way  up  the  English 
channel,  and  seven  hundred  long  miles  yet  we  have  to  go. 

Monday,  the  8th.  It  has  been  almost  entirely  calm  for  two 
'days,  and  we  do  not  get  along  much.  The  season  is  much 
farther  advanced  here  than  in  Maine.  Somje  men  came  from 
the  shore  yesterday,  and  informed'  us  that  they  had  been  done 
planting  tor  some  weeks,  and  that  potatoes  were  up  quite  high. 
They  brought  us  some  greens,  among  which  was  a  cauliflower. 

10th.  Yesterday  a  pilot  boarded  us  and  confirmed  the  re- 
port that  the  river  Elbe  was  blockaded  by  producing  a  paper 
stating  that  it  was  to  take  place  on  the  ninth. 

Saturday,  the  20th.  ,  We  have  had  a  pilot  on  board'  eight 
days,  and  are  now  within  twenty  miles  of  the  mouth  of  the 
Elbe,  and  have  not  been  stopped  yet,  although  we  have  seen  a 
ship  of  war.  The  present  prospect  looks  favorable  for  our  get- 
ting to  Hamburg,  although  we  may  yet  be  disappointed. 

Sunday,  the  21st.  We  are  now  at  anchor  at  Cuxhaven,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Elbe.  It  is  a  very  pretty  country-looking  place; 
the  trees  and  fields  are  as  green  as  green  can  be ;  the  houses  are 
much  in  the  stvle  of  our  countrv  houses,  and  I  do  reallv  feel  as 
though  I  was  almost  at  home  again.     Won't  it  be  delightful  to 


176 

tread  the  earth  once  more,  after  being  driven  about  lilce  Noah's 
dove  for  sixty  days? 

Afternoon.  It  has  been  rather  an  exciting  day  through- 
out. In  the  morning  we  exchanged  our  English  pilot  for  a 
river  pilot,  who  stayed  with  us  about  two  hours;  then  a  boat 
came  from  the  shore  for  him  leaving  another  in  his  place, 
whom  we  are  to  keep  until  we  arrive  in  Hamburg.  Now  we  are 
going  along  at  a  fine  rate  and  will  soon  be  there. 

This  morning  when  I  awoke  the  nightingale  was  warbling 
out  his  sweet  song,  and  the  river  presented  a  most  delightful 
appearance  as  we  sailed  along;  the  banks  were  covered  with 
flowers  of  every  hue. 

22d.  Arrived  at  the  city  of  Hamburg  this  morning;  then 
took  a  cab  and  drove  to  Madame  Lethany's  to  board.  She 
is  an  old  lady,  living  quite  by  herself  with  the  exception  of 
two  gentlemen  boarders,  and  her  servant,  who  is  the  neat- 
est little  body  imaginable.  She  wears  a  neat  white  cap  which 
quite  covers  her  head,  and  a  spencer  of  blue  fitting  her  form 
perfectly,  and  a  skirt  of  different  color  trimmed  with  velvet 
around  the  bottom.  On  the  whole,  she  is  as  prim  a  body  as 
you  would  wish  to  see,  and  'does  all  kinds  of  labor,  from  black- 
ing men's  boots  to  carrying  water  and  splitting  wood. 

The  madame  is  quite  old,  but  vain  as  a  young  girl.  She 
wears  her  caps  trimmed  with  light  blue  and  her  bonnet  trimmed 
with  straw  color  and  blue.  She  talks  quite  good  English,  which 
is  very  convenient. 

Capt.  Taylor  and  wife  board  here  with  the  old  lady,  which 
makes  it  very  pleasant  for  us.  To-day  we  rode  out  arid  took 
a  view  of  this  beautiful  citv.  The  environs  are  most  taste- 
fully  laid  out;  never  did  I  see  so  much  pains  taken  to  beautify 
any  place  as  is  here  taken.  The  whole  is  like  one  garden 
adorned  with  trees  and  flowers. 

Saturday.  To-day  'dined  with  Mr.  Sloman,  our  shipbroker. 
He  is  a  very  wealthy  man.  We  sat  at  the  dinner  table  two 
hours,  then  rose  and  took  a  walk  in  the  garden,  then  drank 
our  tea,  arid  the  coach  came  for  us  and  we  returned  home. 

Sunday.  Dined  with  Mr.  Taylor,  an  acquaintance  which  we 
have  made  since  we  came  here.  We  spent  the  time  very  pleas- 
antly. Sunday  is  a  holiday  here.  They  intend  to  work  as 
much  as  upon  any  other  day. 

Sunday,  June  ith.  We  are  again  invited  to  dine  with  Mr. 
Sloman,  but  as  it  is  Sunday  I  rather  stay  at  home.  These  long 
dinner  hours  do  not  seem  like  American  Sabbaths. 


177 

The  madame  is  quite  busy  preparing  dinner,  and  Katrine 
is  doing  the  chamber  work.  I  have  dressed  myself  to  receive 
callers.  We  have  made  quite  a  number  of  acquaintances  since 
we  have  been  here,  which  is  not  often  the  case  in  a  strange  place. 

8th.  We  have  now  paid  our  board  bill  and  are  ready  to  depart. 
I  am  not  sorry  that  we  shall  soon  leave  this  place. 

9th.  We  are  now  going  down  the  Elbe  with  one  hundred  and 
thirteen  passengers,  seven  of  them  in  the  cabin,  the  rest  be- 
tween decks;  they  are  of  all  ages  from  the  infant  six  weeks  old 
to  the  man  of  sixty.  They  'did  not  like  the  division  line  veiy 
well,  for  they  had  all  mixed  together  before  we  went  on  board, 
and  frequented  the  cabin  as  often  as  they  pleased. 

Saturday,  the  10th.  The  passengers  are  sick  and  keep  below. 
Those  in  the  cabin  try  to  brave  it  out. 

Thursday,  the  15th.  We  now  are  in  the  straits  of  Dover. 
The  passengers  are  as  brisk  as  bees,  some  knitting,  some  play- 
ing cards,  others  at  dominoes.  The  children  seem  quite  happy. 
Forty  of  our  number  are  Jews,  and  ten  of  them  must  have 
their  victuals  cooked  by  themselves,  because  they  will  eat  no 
swine  flesh. 

Saturday.  The  wind  is  now  'directly  ahead,  so  that  we  have 
made  but  little  progress  since  yesterday.  One  would  think 
us  a  little  world  by  ourselves,  if  they  could  only  get  a  peep  at 
us  as  we  are. 

Some  are  sitting  in  groups  conversing  upon  some  subject 
which  is  quite  amusing,  I  should  judge,  by  the  roars  of  laughter 
which  occasionally  burst  from  them,  but  I  can  only  judge  of 
the  subject  by  watching  their  motions,  as  I  do  not  yet  know 
ten  words  of  German. 

W^e  have  a  couple  on  board  who  have  only  been  married 
three  weeks;  notwithstanding  the  shortness  of  the  time  which 
has  elapsed  since  they  have  been  bound  in  Hymen's  silken 
chain,  they  quarrel  every  day,  and  yesterday  the  young  wife 
gave  her  lord  a  slap  in  the  face,  because  he  refused  to  obey 
her  commands.  This  hasty  act  resulted  in  a  determination  of 
both  parties  to  separate  by  mutual  consent,  After  some  hours 
had  elapsed  the  wife  repented  herself  of  the  act  and  wished 
for  a  reconciliation,  but  the  husband  was  stubborn  and  deter- 
mined not  to  overlook  such  tyranny  in  his  wife.  Night  came 
on ;  the  wife  came  on  'deck  to  see  her  husband  and  after  some 
searching  found  him.  They  went  by  themselves;  talked  for 
some  time  and  finally  became  friends  and  retired.  Soon, 
however,  B  was  called  to  her.  She  was  in  a  hysterical  state, 
sometimes  laughing,  then    crying,    then    convulsed.     All  this 


178 

brought  on  by  a  quarrel  with  her  husband.  After  a  pretty 
liberal  application  of  cold  water,  arid  a  sedative  medicine,  she  fell 
asleep. 

Saturday.  Head  wind  and  no  news, — excepting  Mr.  Skilling, 
the  first  mate  is  making  love  to  one  of  the  passengers.  The  girl 
(foolish  thing)  thinks  he  will  marry  her;  but  if  not  it  will  break 
her  heart.     Oh,   dear ! 

Wednesday,  the  21st.  Since  I  wrote  the  above  I  have  as- 
certained that  the  mate  is  not  making  love,  but  the  girl  is 
desperately  in  love  with  him,  and  thinks  she  shall  die  if  he 
does  not  marry  her,  but  he  intends  nothing  of  the  kind.. 

We  have  a  variety  of  scenes  daily.  At  one  time,  perhaps  a 
desperate  quarrel,  next  a  love  song  accompanied  by  the  guitar — 
again,  a  man  may  be  seen  walking  deck  with  a  pipe  three  feet 
long,  arid  a  bag  attached  to  the  buttonhole  of  his  coat  contain- 
ing tobacco. 

We  are  now  in  sight  of  the  Scilly  islands,  and  if  the  wind 
continues  favorable  shall  soon  be  clear  of  the  land,  and  upon 
the  wide  ocean. 

June  30th.  The  last  week  we  have  had  head  winds  all  the 
time,  but  now  we  are  blessed  with  a  fair  one,  which  is  carrying 
us  gloriously  along  over  old  ocean.  Oh,  for  a  quick  passage 
to  the  land  of  my  fathers. 

July  4th.  Head  wind  and  nothing  else  all  of  the  time. 
Oh !  that  we  were  in  our  native  state  this  dav  to  celebrate  the 
national  independence  of  our  Union. 

July  10th.  The  wind  still  ahead,  and  the  prospect  looks 
dark  and  gloomy.  We  are  destined  to  a  long  passage  surely, 
but  as  we  have  plenty  of  company,  the  time  does  not  seem  quite 
so  tedious  as  it  would  otherwise.  Some  of  the  cabin  passen- 
gers are  very  good  company,  although  they  speak  but  poor 
English.  Not  a  day  passes  without  a  game  of  whist.  The 
forfeiture  is  one  cent  if  they  get  beaten. 

A  calm ;  the  wind  blows  ahead,  then  it  dies  away  and  breezes 
up  again  the  same  way.  Since  we  left  Hamburg  we  have 
had  the  studdingsails  set  but  three  days,  and  now  we  have  been 
out   forty-eight  days. 

July  23d.  I  do  not  feel  well  to-day  and  am  in  very  bad 
spirits,  for  this  reason,  that  we  have  nothing  but  fog  and  head 
winds  continually.  Our  passengers  are  in  good  humor,  and  for 
the  most  of  the  time  very  cheerful.  I  think  that  our  voyage 
is  not  yet  near  an  end,  if  this  head  wind  continues. 

One  of  our  number  is  an  old  Jewish  rabbi.  He,  with  his 
wife  and  children,  will  eat  no  swine  flesh,  arid  dare  not  eat 


179 

victuals  that  have  been  cooked  near  where  pork  has  been.  He 
is  a  preacher,  but  if  I  were  to  judge  from  appearances,  I  should 
say  that  he  is  of  a  very  low  order.  Their  prayers  consist  of 
ceremonies  without  words,  as  far  as  I  can  ascertain ;  in  the  morn- 
ing they  may  be  seen  winding  a  leather  strap  around  their 
arm  and  making  motions  with  their  heads; — this  is  praying. 

We  are  not  far  from  Halifax  and  a  good  wind  would  soon 
carrv  us  to  Xew  York,  but  with  this  wind  we  shall  be  till  next 
December  on   the   ocean. 

August  6th.  We  took  a  pilot  last  Friday  and  have  not  yet 
arrived.  This  morning  the  wind  being  fair,  the  passengers 
dressed  themselves  up  in  their  best,  thinking  that  we  should 
soon  be  in  (America  as  they  say),  but  soon  the  wind  changed 
directly  ahead,  and  now  we  are  a  long  way  from  the  Highlands. 

The  Jews'  KSunday  come^  on  Saturday,  and  consequently 
they  cook  nothing  from  Friday  night  until  Sunday  morning. 
This  morning  the  old  rabbi  was  waiting  for  his  turn  to  cook, 
and  at  last  he  and  his  wife  and  daughter  undertook  to  whip  a 
young  Jew,  because  he  did  not  let  him  have  the  galley  when  he 
wished;  but  as  fighting  is  not  allowable,  they  were  separated 
after  several  blows  were  given.  If  this  is  a  specimen  of  a  Jew- 
ish  rabbi,   oh   dear ! ! 

There  is  certainly  a  very  peculiar  sensation  in  returning  to 
our  native  land  after  being  separated  from  our  homes  and 
friends  for  months.  Who  knows  what  changes  may  have 
taken  place  since  we  left,  who  that  our  hearts  hold  dear  may 
now  be  with  the  silent  dead?  There  is  a  dread  as  well  as  a 
pleasure  in  returning  to  our  homes. 

7th.  Arrived  this  evening,  and  oh,  how  much  rejoicing  on 
board  of  >our  good  old  bark  to  think  that  we  are  safe  in  America 
at  last. 

Tuesday,  the  8th.  Have  been  on  shore  and  have  spent  the 
evening  at  the  Pearl  Street  House  with  my  brother  and  wife. 

Friday,  the  18th.  This  morning  at  nine  o'clock  the  bark 
was  hauled  up  on  the  screw  dock  to  be  coppered,  and  the  men 
soon  commenced  work,  and  now  it  is  six  and  they  will  soon  be 
done  and  oS.  we  will  go  again.  One  hundred  men  at  work  un- 
der the  vessel's  bottom  makes  a  great  noise, — pound,  pound, 
pound',  all  of  the  time.  But  it  will  soon  cease,  and  I  shall  be 
glad. 

September  2d.  This  day  left  New  York  for  Limerick,  Ire- 
land, with  a  most  glorious  breeze,  and  with  our  vessel  loaded 
deep  with  corn  for  the  hungry  people. 


180 

September  3d.  We  have  our  good  wind  yet,  and  as  long  as 
iti  continues  this  way  I  shall  not  be  sick. 

Wednesday,  the  7th.  Exceedingly  monotonous.  The  wind  is 
so  light  that  we  are  scarcely  moving  at  all.  How  cheering  a 
good  breeze  would  be. 

Saturday,  the  9th.  The  wind  is  very  light  but  there  is  a 
very  bad  sea  heaving  in  from  the  southeast,  which  looks  rather 
ominous.      We  are  on  the  lookout  for  a  blow. 

Sunday  morning.  The  wind  has  commenced  blowing  a  per- 
fect gale. 

Twelve  o'clock.  The  bark  is  now  lying  to  under  close 
reefed  maintopsails,  and  the  sea  is  running  quite  high.  It 
blows  tremendously;  occasionally  a  large  sea  boards  us  and 
fills  the  lee  side  ful}.  Ezra  and  myself  are  sitting  quietly  in  the 
cabin,  he  without  any  fear  at  all,  singing  quite  cheerfully.  I  am 
thinkmg. 

Evening,  nine  o'clock.  The  wind  has  abated,  and  the  bark  is 
now  before  the  wind,  but  we  are  rolling  back  and  forth  at  an 
a'w^ful  rate.  No  com^fort  for  me  this  night  ;although  I  am 
wedged  in  my  berth  with  pillows  on  both  sides,  of  me,  still  I  roll. 

Monday,  the  11th.  This  morning  arose  after  a  most 
wretched  night,  and  was  quite  surprised  to  find  that  it  was  al- 
most calm.  Soon  B  commenced  putting  sail  upon  the  vessel; 
we  took  breakfast,  and  immediately  the  wind  commenced  blow- 
ing at  a  most  furious  rate,  and  before  sail  could  be  taken  off, 
her  lee  side  was  all  under  water.  Such  a  sight !  She  lay 
down  just  like  a  dish  when  we  dip  it  full  of  water.  It  seems 
almost  impossible  for  the  masts  to  stand  this  horrible  gale; 
her  lower  vards  are  in  the  water.  It  blows  as  hard  as  I  have 
ever  witnessed  it  in  my  sailor  life.  It  makes  my  nerves,  as 
strong  as  they  are,  quiver  to  see  the  men  up  to  their  necks  in 
water,  hauling  the  ropes,  should  they  lose  their  hold  they  are 
gone.  Xew  sails  and  a  strong  vessel  are  now  our  only  hope  of 
safety. 

The  cook,  a  grinning  old  darkey,  is  in  extraordinary  good 
spirits;  the  gale  seems  to  increase  his  activity. 

Afternoon.  The  gale  has  somewhat  abated,  but  still  it 
blows  extremely  hard.  We  are  still  lying  to  under  a  small  part 
of  the  spanker  and  a  tarpaulin  in  the  mizzen  rigging.  The  sea 
still  comes  over  us,  filling  the  vessel  so  full  that  we  are  obliged 
to  keep  the  forward  doors  closed,  and  the  only  egress  is  the 
little  dodgehole  in  the  after  part  of  the  cabin.  I  have  just  had 
a  short  nap  while  in  the  midst  of  the  boiling  surges  of  the 


181 

ocean,  and  awoke  not  at  all  refreshed,  wondering  why  I  dared  to 
go  to  sleep. 

Tuesda}^,  the  12th.  The  wind  and  sea  have  gone  down  a 
little,  and  now  we  are  progressing  on  our  way  with  some  pros- 
pect of  a  tolerably  comfortable  day,  although  the  vessel  rolls 
very  badly,  and  there  is  so  much  water  on  deck  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  go  back  and  forth  without  getting  wet  feet. 

Such  feelings  as  we  on  board  of  this  little  bark  have,  you  who 
live  on  the  land  can  never  know. 

Wednesday,  the  13th.  During  the  night  the  sea  has  gone 
down,  and  now  we  have  a  most  beautiful  wind,  going  at  the 
rate  of  six  miles  per  hour.  We  are  now  on  sounding  on  the 
Newfoundland  Banks,  and  it  is  so  cold  that  I  am  obliged  to 
keep  my  shawl,  on  and  have  cold  fingers  at  that. 

Friday,  the  15th.  Nothing  of  importance  to  note  down  to- 
day. The  wind  is  not  favorable,  and  consequently  we  are  not 
advancing  as  fast  as  we  have  done  for  the  last  two  days. 

My  canary  bird,  which  the  mate  presented  to  me,  has  ceased 
to  sing  since  its  companions  are  taken  from  the  vessel  (for  we 
had  three  on  board  all  the  way  from  Hamburg)  ;  now  it  sits 
silent  all  day  in  its  cage.  It  is  a  very  pretty  bird,  and  I  am  ex- 
ceedingly sorry  that  it  has  lost  its  song.     Poor  thing ! 

Tuesday,  the  20th.  We  have  had  a  fair  wind  every  day  since 
last  Wednesday,  and  are  now  in  the  longitude  of  the  Western 
Islands,  and  within  eight  hundred  miles  of  the  river  Shannon, 
and  if  we  are  favored  with  this  wind  six  days  more,  I  hope 
that  we  shall  see  old  Ireland,  which  will  be  a  very  quick  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic. 

The  cook  seems  to  be  a  funny  old  fellow.  He  has  spent  forty 
years  on  the  ocean,  and  appears  to  understand  all  the  crooks 
and  turns  of  a  seafaring  life.  His  feet  have  been  bare  ever 
since  we  sailed.  I  think  that  he  feels  much  younger  than  when 
on  the  land.  He  is  as  quick  motioned  as  many  are  at  sixteen, 
although  in  all  probability  sixty  winters  have  passed  over  his 
head. 

26th.  We  are  now  within  eighty  miles  of  Ireland,  and  a 
strong  head  wind  seems  determined  to  keep  us  here  at  pres- 
ent. However,  we  ought  not  to  complain  at  this,  as  we  have 
had  a  fair  wind  the  most  of  the  time. 

Friday,  the  30th.  Still  beating  to  the  windward.  Yesterday 
morning  saw  the  rugged  coast  of  Ireland  rearing  its  hills  to 
the  sky.  This  makes  twenty-seven  days  from  land  to  land,  and 
if  this  head  wind  still  continues  we  shall  not  get  in  for  some 


182 

time  yet.     It  is  rather  aggravating  to  be  so  near  and  have  the 
wind  keep  us  off. 

October  2d.  Yesterday  we  entered  the  Shannon  at  six 
in  the  morning  and  proceeded  slowly  along  the  river.  I  was 
truck  by  the  barren  appearance  of  the  hills, — scarcely  a  tree  to 
be  seen.  Even  at  this  early  period  our  eyes  are  distressed  at 
the  poverty  of  the  poor  wretches  who  come  off  in  the  boats  with 
the  pilots.     They  have  scarcely  a  covering  for  their  backs. 

October  3d.  Last  night  came  to  anchor  and  this  morning 
got  under  way  at  five.  The  scenery  looks  rather  more  invit- 
ing than  yesterday;  occasionally  a  tree  is  to  be  seen.  The 
land  is  divided  into  small  patches,  which  the  landholders  rent 
at  enormous  prices  to  the  poor  people. 

Thursday,  the  5th.  By  the  aid  of  a  steamboat  we  are  now 
lying  in  what  is  called  the  Pool,  and  have  commenced  discharg- 
ing. I  do  think  that  Limerick  is  a  pretty  place,  as  near  as  I 
can  judge  from  where  we  lay.  Many  of  the  buildings  are  very 
fine,  and  were  it  not  for  the  miserable  laws  which  the  people 
are  subjected  to,  they  certainly  might  compete  with  any  nation 
in  the  world.  We  have  the  custom  house  officers  on  board, 
who  appear  to  be  very  civil  men,  indeed,  and  one  of  them  very 
intelligent.  He  appears  to  regret  the  state  of  affairs  in  his 
country  much,  and  in  truth  they  all  do,  and  would  glady  have  a 
change  were  it  in  their  power;  but  they  cannot  support  a  war, 
so  they  must  endure  the  present  existing  evils. 

October  17th.  We  have  been  here  some  time  now,  and  I 
have  had  a  good  opportunity  of  ascertaining  the  state  of  af- 
fairs in  this  poor  country.  The  poor  people  are  in  a  wretched 
condition  and  at  present  there  appears  to  be  no  prospect  of  a 
change.  The  crops  are  cut  off,  and  grain  is  very  high,  so  that 
the  lowest  class  cannot  get  it,  and  are  obliged  to  beg  or  steal, 
which  they  will  do  if  in  their  power.  Yet,  they  appear  thank- 
ful for  the  smallest  crust  you  give  them,  and  will  bless  you 
in  one  continual  flow  of  blessings  and  prayer  as  long  as  you 
will  listen  to  them. 

Yesterday  I  had  a  visit  from  the  lace  girls  (who,  by  the  way, 
often  trouble  me)  importuning  me  to  purchase  of  them  against 
my  will  and  inclination.  "Now,  I  will  let  you  have  this  beauti- 
ful dress  at  a  bargain,  and  if  you  will  take  it,  we  will  be  pray- 
ing for  3'Ou  all  your  passage!"  But  they  could  not  prevail 
and  left  me. 

•   17th.     This  morning  we  have  finished  discharging  and  shall 
be  ready  for  sea  to-morrow,  and  hope  to  have  a  fair  wind. 


183 

Thursday.  We  are  now  going  out  of  the  Shannon  with  a 
fair  wind  and  shall  soon  discharge  the  pilot,  and  proceed  to 
sea,  bound  up  the  straits  to  the  Island  of  Sicily. 

November  2d.  This  morning  I  awoke  early  and  went  on  deck 
and  found  we  were  fairly  in  the  straits,  and  entirely  becalmed. 
There  are  many  vessels  in  sight  in  the  same  situation  as  our- 
selves. The  land  is  high,  reaching  to  the  clouds;  the  moun- 
tain tops  are  now  shrouded  in  a  soft,  white  mist.  Here  and 
there  a  cliff  projects  beyond  the  rest  in  bold  relief, — this,  with 
the  sea  as  calm  as  if  asleep,  presents  a  beautiful  scene  to  one 
whose  eye  is  tired  of  the  raging  ocean. 

Saturday,  the  -ith.  We  are  still  becalmed  and  have  advanced 
but  very  little  since  we  passed  the  straits;  however,  we  do  hope 
to  get  a  wind,  and  arrive  at  our  destined  port  in  safety.  Were 
it  not  for  this  hope,  we  should  be  entirely  discouraged. 

Monday,  the  6th.  Throughout  the  day  there  has  not  been 
wind  enough  to  fill  the  sails.  The  sky  has  been  as  calm  and 
peaceful  as  at  mid-summer.  The  sun  went  down  gloriously, 
lighting  up  one-half  of  the  ocean,  which  looked  like  one 
sheet  of  burnished  gold. 

The  men  have  cleaned  up  the  deck,  coiled  up  all  the  rope, 
and  "swept  up."  The  cook  has  given  us  all  our  suppers,  so 
now  I  suppose  he  is  eating  his  meal,  which,  by  the  by,  he  does 
but  once  a  day  (so  he  says).  He  is  a  good  natured  negro,  has 
always  a  grin  ready,  and  in  fact  is  quite  entertaining.  Be- 
ing an  old  sailor  he  can  spin  a  good  yarn. 

The  birds  from  the  land  have  come  on  board  of  us  to-day, 
and  puss  caught  one  poor  little  thing  and  after  playing  with  it 
for  sometime  she  devoured  it ;  a  dainty  morsel  I  suppose  it  was 
to  her  as  we  have  no  mice.  She  appears  to  gain  friends,  which 
was  more  than  I  anticipated  when  she  first  came  on  board. 
No  one  seemed  to  notice  her  in  any  other  way  than  with  a  kick 
or  a  blow;  now  she  is  even  allowed  to  take  a  seat  in  the  cap- 
tain's lap,  and  occupy  it  as  long  as  she  pleases.  But  she  seems 
to  have  a  great  propensity  to  eye  my  canary  when  its  cage  is 
hung  outside  the  cabin,  and  upon  two  occasions  she  has  made 
the  attempt  to  take  the  bird  from  the  cage.  If  she  should  do 
it,  woe  be  to  her !  However,  I  take  the  precaution  to  shut  the 
bird  up  in  one  of  the  staterooms. 

November  7th.  A  beautiful  evening  such  as  we  often  have  in 
August  at  home.  It  is  just  warm  enough  to  sit  in  the  moon- 
light without  a  bonnet.  I  have  been  pacing  the  deck  fore  and 
aft  and  talking  with  the  cook,  who  was  washing  his  dishes  by 


184 

moonlight,  then  chatted'  awhile  with  the  mate,  who  appears  lost 
in  thought,  gazing  at  the  calm  sea  and  bright  stars  reflected 
upon  its  glassy  surface  glittering  like  diamonds.  He  is  a  per- 
son very  retiring  in  his  manners,  and  I  do  find  it  very  difficult 
to  converse  with  him,  yet,  notwithstanding  all  this,  we  like 
him  very  much.  The  second  mate,  on  the  contrary,  is  very 
talkative,  and  if  a  person  is  disposed  to  listen,  he  will  talk  as 
long   as  you   like. 

Ezra  is  studying  his  lesson,  and  is  now  ready  to  recite  it  to 
me,  which  he  does  every  'day. 

No  wind  yet  of  any  consequence. 

Wednesday,  the  8th.  Last  evening  a  light  breeze  sprang  up 
and  we  went  along  through  the  night  at  the  rate  of  four  knots. 
This  morning  it  freshened  up  and  has  lasted  through  the  day, 
so  that  I  hope  we  shall  not  be  becalmed  again.  It  is  now  seven 
o'clock  in  the  evening  and  a  counterpart  of  last  evening, 
with  this  addition,  that  the  moon  is  upon  the  increase,  and 
more  light  is  reflected  upon  the  sea, — yes,  the  Mediterranean 
sea  and  we  are  now  near  the  cluster  of  islands  called  Majorca, 
Minorca  and  Iviza,  which  I  have  often  puzzled  my  brain 
to  remember  when  a  schoolgirl,  little  dreaming  that  I  should 
ever  be  so  near  them  as  I  now  am.  Yet,  I  must  allow  that 
I  did  at  times  have  a  presentment  that  I  should  travel,  and 
perhaps  should  meet  with  somebody  more  than  persons  in  my 
situation  ordinarily  do.  My  anticipations  are  in  a  measure 
fulfilled. 

The  wind  has  been  very  baffling  since  we  entered  the  straits, 
sometimes  for  a  while  fair,  arid  the  next  half  hour  ahead,  then 
back  again  in  the  same  place.  Last  evening  we  were  going 
slowly  along  with  square  yards,  and  upon  looking  ahead  we 
saw  a  brig  coming  towards  us  with  her  yards  as  square  as  ours ; 
we  were  not  a  mile  apart.  However,  when  she  came  abreast 
oi  us  she  was  obliged  to  leave  her  fair  wind  behind,  and  to 
brace  up,  which  we  were  quite  willing  that  she  should  do. 

Thursday,  the  9th.  Arose  this  morning  at  six  o'clock, 
dressed  and  washed  myself,  then  took  my  position  in  the  door- 
way, watching  Mr.  Skillings  and  his  watch  with  their  stock- 
ings off  arid  their  pantaloons  rolled  up  to  their  knees,  washing 
decks,  a  ceremony  which  they  go  through  every  morning.*  As 
I  was  amusing  myself  looking  at  them,  I  cast  my  eyes  to  the 
sky  and  saw  that  its  peaceful  look  was  in  a  measure  stirred, 
and  something  like  a  scowl  was  gathering  there.  Well,  in 
fifteen  minutes  from  this  time  every  person  was  called,  and 
orders  were  given  to  clew  up,  haul  in  the  studdingsails,  which 


185 

were  all  set  and  lay  aloft,  rig  in  the  booms,  furl  the  topgal- 
lantsail,  reef  the  topsails.  "Two  reefs  or  one?^'  asked  the 
mate.  "Two/'  was  the  answer.  "Aye,  aye,  sir !"  And  they 
reefed  them  and  came  down.  "Now  brace  up  the  main  yard, 
topsail  yard,  topgallant  yard !"  "Well."  Foreyard  topsail, 
and  topgallant  yard !"  "Well,  all  well,"etc.  And  such  a  con- 
fusion, the  decks  all  covered  with  ropes;  everyone  hauling  here 
and  there.  The  wind  came  up  before  all  was  snug,  however, 
it  did  no  damage,  but  has  blown  pretty  severely  all  day,  which  is 
the  first  wind  that  we  have  had  since  we  entered  the  straits. 

Friday,  the  10th.  During  the  night  the  wind  moderated  and 
the  reefs  were  shaken,  out  and  this  morning  the  same  scene  was 
acted  over  again. 

When  the  men  came  from  aloft  the  two  mates  had  some 
hard  words  which  did  not  result  in  blows,  but  the  second  mate 
said  that  he  would  not  be  imposed  upon,  and  Mr.  Skillings  said 
that  if  he  did  not  pass  the  earing  right  next  time,  he  should 
do  it  over  again.  But  B  finally  called  the  second  mate  to  do 
something,   whereupon   it   ended. 

Saturday,  the  11th.  We  have  had  a  fine  wind  all  night  and 
are  now  seventy-two  miles  nearer  to  Palermo  than  last  night 
at  eight  o'clock.  We  expect  to  •  see  the  island  of  Sardinia  at 
four  o'clock  if  the  wind  continues. 

Sunday,  the  12th.  A  fine  wind.  The  Island  of  Sardinia 
is  on  our  quarter  and  Palermo  not  three  hundred  miles  ahead ; 
so  we  go  along,  with  square  yards  and  all  studdingsails  set, 
at  the  rate  of  nine  knots.  This  is  the  kind  of  sailing  that 
suits  me.  B  has  laid  down  to  take  a  nap  as  he  was  up  last  night 
until  t\YO  o'clock,  we  being  near  the  land,  he,  with  his  natural 
anxiety  could  not  sleep,  so  he  paced  the  deck  all  the  time, 
whiffing  away  at  his.  cigar,  his  greatest  consoler  in  times  of  ex- 
citement. Such  is  the  effect  of  habit  upon  a  nervous  and  excit- 
able system. 

Monday,  the  13th.  This  morning  at  six  o'clock  the  Island 
of  Sicily  was  all  in  sight,  and  now  the  men  are  getting  the  chains 
on  deck  v/hich  looks  like  getting  somewhere.  A  nice  breeeze  is 
carrying  us  swifty  to  Palermo. 

Afternoon,  four  o'clock.  We  can  now  see  the  entrance  to 
the  harbor,  but  the  wind  has  died  away  so  we  are  making  very 
slow  progress.  .  The  land  is  exceedingly  high  and'  rugged,  and 
the  sides  of  the  mountains  look  as  though  they  were  severed 
from  some  mighty  mass,  by  some  convulsion  of  nature. 

Evening.  We  are  at  anchor  and  the  city  lies  before  us  with 
its    thousand    lights    glittering    like    diamonds.     The    night 


18(3 

being  overcast  makes  them  more  visible.  A  boat  came  along- 
side in  which  was  an  American  captain  from  Limerick.  He 
informs  us  that  we  shall  be  quarantined  twenty  days.  Oh! 
it  is  horrible  to  think  that  we  must  lie  here  so  long  without  be- 
ing permitted  to  go  ashore,  or  on  board  another  vessel.  How- 
ever, we  shall  ascertain  to-morrow,  and  if  it  really  be  the  case, 
we  must  abide  by  it  I  suppose. 

Tuesday,  the  14th.  This  morning  arose  early  to  take  a  look 
at  the  place.  It  is  surely  a  very  good  looking  place,  situated 
at  the  base  of  high  and  rugged  mountains,  which  look  like 
anything  else  but  cultivation.  The  city  appears  large,  and 
innumerable  spires,  turrets  and  domes  rise  every  way  that  the 
eye  turns.  The  buildings  are  of  stone,  and  I  should  judge 
from  the  appearance,  at  this  distance,  that  they  are  very  fine, 
but  would,  to  the  eye  of  the  Xortherner,  appear  much  finer 
if  painted  white  instead  of  a  muddy  yellow.  A  boat  came  along 
side  this  morning  and  brought  us  fresh  meat,  potatoes  and  a 
basket  of  fruit,  consisting  of  apples,  pears  and  some  bunches 
of  the  most  beautiful  grapes  imaginable.  Soon  after  break- 
fast B  went  ashore  to  ascertain  our  fate  as  to  quarantine,  etc., 
and  soon  returned,  saying  that  for  twenty-one  days  we  must 
lie  here  without  even  permission  to  go  ashore,  then  have  thirty 
days  to  load  after  that. 

The  sails  are  unbent  and  sent  between  deck,  and  the  men 
are  very  busy  mooring  the  vessel,  taking  off  the  chafing-gear, 
and  soon  I  expect  that  we  shall  be  painted  and  look  in  first 
rate  style. 

Wednesday,  the  15th.  This  afternoon  merely  for  a  change, 
B  and  myself  got  into  the  boat  and  went  a  few  yards  from  the 
the  vessel  on  to  a  break-water  and  got  out,  but  not  being  per- 
mittted  to  go  any  farther,  it  was  but  little  satisfaction.  Two 
captains,  who  are  quarantined  as  well  as  ourselves,  went  with 
us,  and  while  there  the  guard  would  not  even  allow  our  boats  to 
touch  each  other.  I  thought  that  we  might  shake  hands  with 
Captain  French  as  we  were  acquainted,  but  to  my  astonish- 
ment we  were  not  allowed  to  come  within  three  feet  of  each 
other.     This  is  downright  despotism. 

Since  we  have  come  back  I  have  seen  one  of  the  surbordinate 
guards  making  a  complaint  to  one  higher  in  power  than  him- 
self concerning  our  three  vessels,  which  I  knew  by  his  ges- 
ticulations. The  Italians  talk  with  their  hands,  and  their  many 
motions  puzzle  me.  We  have  all  kinds  of  noise  about  us,  from 
the  ringing  of  tihe  prayer  bell,  down  to  the  whistle  of  the  man- 
of-  war^s  man. 


187 

Thursday,  the  16th.  To-day  I  busied  myself  making  squash 
pies,  the  squash  being  brought  off  this  morning  and  put  on  the 
quay  for  us,  so  Ezra  pulled  ashore  and  got  them,  together  with 
a  basket  of  grapes,  which  will  soon  be  eaten. 

It  rains  incessantly,  yet  the  men  are  at  work  discharging  bal- 
last.    I  feel  rather  stupid  to-day. 

Sunday,  the  19th.  Here  we  lie  and  no  prospect  of  a  change 
until  the  twenty-one  days  are  fully  expired,  nothing  to  amuse 
us  but  to  watch  the  maneuvers  of  the  people  on  shore,  which 
is  no  amusement  at  all. 

'Tis  true  that  we  can  have  as  much  fruit  as  we  wish,  and 
chestnuts  as  large  as  small  apples,  in  abundance,  but  quite 
tasteless;  and  in  the  midst  of  all  this  plenty  we  are  discon- 
tented as  long  as  we  are  prisoners.  A  steamboat  lies  within 
speaking  distance  bound  to  Naples  to-morrow,  and  as  much  as 
we  wish  to  visit  that  place,  we  are  not  permitted  to  go. 

Monday,  the  20th.  It  being  a  rainy  day,  the  men  are  as  busy 
as  bees,  scouring  the  vessel  all  over  preparing  for  painting. 
B  is  trying  his  skill  in  mixing  paint,  in  order  to  get  a  color 
that  suits  him.     Stone  color  seems  to  be  his  favorite  hobby. 

This  morning  I  had  a  most  splendid  bouquet  left  on  the 
shore  for  me,  it  is  all  of  two  feet  in  length,  and  made  up  with  a 
gredt  many  sweet  scented  herbs,  an^  pinks  of  immense  size, 
and  of  various,  colors.  I  sit  and  admire  it  and  smell  of  it  a 
thousand   times   over. 

Wednesday,  the  22d.  It  has  been  a  fine  day  so  all  hands  but 
two  have  been  employed  in  painting,  and  as  for  myself,  I  have 
been  ironing  and  among  other  things  I  ironed  twelve  shirts, 
so  that  by  the  time  that  I  had  finished,  I  felt  quite  tired. 

Palermo,  November  24,  1848.  After  writing  my  other  book 
through,  and  seairching  all  the  writing  desks  over  and  over 
for  some  paper  or  a  lx>ok,  all  to  no  purpose,  I  had  nearly 
given  up  in  despair,  when  Ezra  produced  a  large  manuscript  and 
asked  if  some  paper  from  that  would  answer  my  purpose.  I 
seized  it  with  delight,  and  immediately  formed  this  book,  which 
I  am  now  christening. 

We  are  lying  in  Palermo  with  nothing  to  interest  us  except 
the  work,  which  is  rapidly  progressing  during  the  twenty-one 
days  that  we  are  quarantined. 

Sunday,  the  26th.  A  dull  and  rainy  day;  I  feel  in  a  melan- 
choly mood, — still  confined  on  board  the  vessel.  I  am  now  sit- 
ting alone  by  my  little  stateroom  window  and  listening  to  the 
hum  of  voices  on  the  Mole,  occasionally  interrupted  by  the  sound 
of  the  beating  of  a  drum  in    the    distance,    or  watching  the 


188 

smooth  waters  under  the  stern  of  the  vessel,  upon  whose  sur- 
face every  object  that  is  stirring  is  reflected  in  long  and  wavy 
lines,  which  answer  for  an  object  for  the  eye  to  rest  upon  when 
nothing  more  interesting  is  at  hand. 

I  have  said  that  I  was  gloomy,  yes,  gloomy  indeed,  but  ere 
many  years  have  gone  the  round's,  I  shall  have  paid  my  debt 
to  Mother  Earth  and  be  forgotten,  and  the  things  of  time  go 
on  the  same  as  though  I  had  never  existed.  And  what  is  it  to 
live?  It  is  to  draw  our  breath,  to  eat,  to  sleep  and  toil  for  a 
little  of  this  world's  goods,  and  then  die  and  leave  what  we  have 
gained  for  some  one  to  squander.  Oh,  then,  how  little  should 
we  set  our  affections  upon  this  world ! 

Thursday,  the  30th.  My  spirits  are  much  revived  since  last 
Sunday  and  am  now  in  my  usual  mood. 

We  have  but  three  or  four  days  of  quarantine,  then  we  shall 
soon  be  loaded  and  be  off.  We  hope  to  have  a  short  passage. 
This  morning  a  small  vessel  was  put  in  quarantine  from  the 
Island  of  Malta.  She  is  loaded  with  wine.  The  laws  appear 
very  foolish,  indeed,  to  us, — to  quarantine  a  vessel  from  a 
healthy  port,  but  they  do  it. 

Monday,  December  4th,  This  afternoon  at  two  o'clock  a  son 
of  Francisco,  B,  Ezra  and  myself,  took  a  carriage  and  drove 
around  to  see  the  city,  in  which  we  saw  many  fine  looking 
palaces,  the  former  residences  of  the  King  of  Naples.  We 
rode  through  one  fine  street  eight  miles  in  length,  then  stopped 
at  a  garden,  but  it  being  winter,  the  flowers  were  drooping. 
Notwithstanding  this,  I  gathered  a  handful  of  roses  and  a  va- 
riety of  other  flowers.  After  walking  for  some  time,  we  came 
to  an  iron  gate  which  was  locked,  and  our  guide,  after  search- 
ing for  the  key  some  moments  in  vain,  went  in  pursuit  of  the 
gardener  and  soon  returned,  bringing  him  with  him.  The 
key  was  found  hanging  upon  the  body  of  a  tree.  The  gate 
was  unlocked,  we  entered  a  narrow,  circuitous  foot-path,  which 
led  through  trees  of  various  kinds,  until  at  last  we  came  to  a 
hut,  which  looked  like  the  residence  of  some  hermit;  our  guide 
drew  back  for  us  to  advance.  I  stepped  upon  the  first  step,  and 
to  my  surprise  the  doors  flew  open  and  an  old  friar  stood  be- 
us  dressed  in  a  long  white  gown  and  hood.  He  bowed  two  or 
three  times  and  I  stepped  back.  He  withdrew  and  closed  the 
door  after  him.  We  left  him  and  took  another  path,  which 
led  to  a  similar  'd'welling.  We  walked  to  the  door,  which  opened, 
and  there  we  saw  another  priest  with  the  Bible  open  before  him. 
He  raised  his  hand  and  motioned  us  away.  We  looked  as 
long  as  we  wished,  and  took  another  path  which  soon  brought 


189 

Tis  to  another  small  hut,  but  of  different  construction,  and  upon 
the  door  was  written  "no  entrance."  Our  guide  motioned  us 
to  one  side,  then  opening  the  door  an  "Old  Devil"  as  B  called 
him,  rose  from  his  chair  and  turned  a  faucet,  which  sent  a 
stream  of  water  a  number  of  yards  into  the  air.  It  would  have 
given  us  a  good  wetting,  if  our  guide  had  not  given  us  the 
warning  to  step  aside.  We  looked  until  we  were  satisfied  at 
these  images  which  have  been- there  for  many  years,  and  in 
which  time  has  made  great  inroads,  and  which  are  visited  by 
every  American  who  comes  to  this  place,  and  which  I  have 
heard  of  since  my  childhood.  Then  took  our  carriage  and 
and  drove  to  a  vault  of  dead  bodies,  some  of  which  have  been 
there  since  the  year  1636.  The  vault  contains  twelve  thousand 
or  more  bodies.  There  they  stand  mouldering  away,  day  by 
day, — the  king,  the  priest,  the  citizen,  the  infant,  with  the 
flesh  consumed  from  their  bones,  but  the  skin  remains  for  many 
years;  but  of  some  nothing  remained  but  the  fleshless  skull, 
with  their  hollow  eye-sockets  staring  at  you  with  a  ghastly, 
deathly  stare:  A  few  are  preserved,  and  they  have  quite  a 
natural  appearance.  One  little  boy  I  noticed  with  eyes  as  bright 
and  sparkling  as  when  living,  but  the  greater  part  were  rapidly 
decaying.  An  old  friar  waited  upon  us  around,  and  stood 
ready  for  his  fee  at  our  departure,  then  came  and  waved  his 
adieus  through  the  iron  railing  in  the  yard  as  we  departed,  well 
satisfied  for  his  trouble. 

The  vault  had  a  very  disagreeable  sm^ll  as  we  descended,  but 
after  we  were  fairly  down  the  air  was  much  better,  and  we  went 
around  very  comfortably  as  to  that  respect. 

On  our  way  to  a  public  promenade,  we  stopped  at  a  church 
which  w'as  built  by  the  King,  the  most  magnificent  building  my 
eyes  ever  beheld.  The  doors  are  open  every  dav  until  dark, 
and  people  are  there  at  all  hours  of  the  day  saying  their  prayers. 
They  come  in  when  they  are  passing  to  and  from  their  bus- 
iness and  cross  themselves  with  the  holy  water,  arid  kneel  upon 
one  knee  for  a  moment  and  are  up  and  off  with  a  clear  con- 
science. The  priests  w6re  there  in  great  numbers,  from  the  boy 
of  eight,  to  the  old,  gray-headed  man,  all  dressed  in  their 
robes.  I  have  often  heard  of  the  influence  of  this  class  of  per- 
sons, but  never  realized  how  great  their  power  might  be  until  I 
saw  how  exceedingly  numerous  they  are  in  this  plac.  This 
closed  our  acquaintance  with  Palermo  for  the  first  day,  and  we 
came  on  board  well  satisfied  with  our  ride. 

Tuesday,  the  5th.  This  afternoon  we  went  to  visit  a  small 
city  situated  eight  miles  from   Palermo.     Our  path  being  in 


190 

a  zig-zag  direction,  and  up  hill,  made  the  distance  seem  much 
longer  than  it  really  was.  In  two  hours  we  were  near  our 
stopping  place,  and,  being  upon  an  eminence,  we  had  a  fine 
view  of  Palermo,  which  is  situated  at  the  base  of  the  moun- 
tain. The  background  is  very  level,  and  entirely  covered  with 
olive  trees,  grapevines  and  nut  trees,  interspersed  with  a  neat 
little  cottage  here  and  there,  peeping  through  the  thick  foliage. 
The  inhabitants  of  Palermo  manufacture  their  own  wine  and 
oil.  The  prickly  pear  grows  in  abundance  upon  the  sides  and 
tops  of  the  mountains  as  far  as  the  eye  can  distinguish  ob- 
jects. Many  of  the  people  subsist  upon  them,  and  in  walking 
through  the  streets  you  will  see  little  stands  covered  with  them 
on  every  side.     They  are  sold  by  weight. 

When  we  stopped  at  the  city  and'  alighted  from  the  coach  at 
a  church  door  which  we  wished  to  see,  the  first  object  that  ar- 
rested my  attention  was  a  ruffianly  looking  fellow  coming  to- 
wards me  holding  in  his  hand  some  small  pieces  of  glass,  which 
were  gilded,  telling  me,  through  an  interpreter,  that  they  were 
some  pieces  of  the  church.  I  put  them  in  my  pocket  as  curi- 
osities. We  then  entered  and  to  my  astonishment  the  church 
was  in  reality  covered  with  this  kind  of  work,  called  mosaic 
work.  The  pictures  of  all  the  saints,  and  Noah  and  his  fam- 
ily, were  composed  of  small  bits  of  glass  of  various  colors,  and 
in  such  forms  and  set  so  nicely  that  they  present  the  most 
splendid  picture  imaginable.  There  were  devices  carved  of 
wood  of  every  description  that  the  mind  could  conceive.  The 
altar  was  of  silver,  but  for  fear  of  intruders  it  was  §o  cov- 
ered that  but  a  small  part  of  it  could  be  seen.  However,  our 
guide  uncovered  enough  to  convince  us  that  it  was  really  silver. 

It  is  six  hundred  and  seventy  years  since  it  was  finished,  but 
the  number  of  years  that  it  was  building  we  could  not  as- 
certain. It  strongly  reminds  me  of  the  description  that  the  Bi- 
ble gives  of  the  temple,  and  I  presume  that  many  things  were 
made  in  imitation  of  it.  The  brazen  candlesticks  six  feet 
high,  the  marble  bowl  for  the  holy  water,  the  image  of  the 
Savior  upon  the  cross,  and  of  Abraham,  and  Isaac  and  Jacob, 
the  curtains  of  fine  linen  of  red  and  of  blue,  the  marble  steps 
which  led  to  the  altar,  all  filled  my  mind  with  Scripture  images. 
And  yet  Catholics  worship  there,  and  still  keep  their  devotees 
in  the  darkness  which  Christianity  will  never  break  until  the 
Archangel  sounds  his  trumpet.  We  walked  through  the  aisles 
and  before  the  altar,  examining  everything  that  we  saw,  and 
the  ruffian  that  gave  me  the  pieces  of  glass  at  our  entrance, 
followed  us  wherever  we  went.     B  noticed  this  and  gave  him 


191 

some  money,  but  this  did'  not  satisfy  him,  and  he  continued  to 
beg  as  long  as  we  were  in  the  church. 

When  we  left  it  I  thought  we  were  clear  of  him,  but  instead 
of  this  a  dozen  more  joined  him  and  insisted  that  we  should 
give  them  money.  Among  them  was  a  little  girl,  perhaps  four- 
teen years  old,  with  an  infant  in  her  arm,  sick  with  the  small- 
pox. She  came  and  brought  the  child  close  to  me,  pushing 
herself  almost  upon  me  saying  "Give  me  money,"  so  to  get  rid 
of  the  crowd  we  went  to  the  coach  and  got  in,  but  this  only 
the  more  enraged  them.  They  came  around  the  carriage  on 
all  sides  with  their  hands  open  held  to  us,  and  among  the  rest 
was  the  said  ruffian,  importuning  with  more  vehemence  than 
ever,  with  the  money  that  B  gave  him  in  his  hand;  almost 
compelling  us  to  give  him  more.  B  brushed  that  out  of  his 
hand  into  the  coach  and  told  the  coachman  to  drive  on,  but  the 
horses  being  quite  tired  could  not  be  urged  along  at  first  very 
fast,  so  the  beggars  followed  us  as  long  as  they  could  keep  up 
w4th  the  horses.  But  soon  the  driver  waked  up  his  horses  with 
his  whip  and  we  left  the  wretched  beings  to  our  great  rejoicing. 
After  we  were  some  distance  from  them  our  guide  informed  us 
that  this  same  fellow,  a  short  time  since,  put  a  knife  to  his 
heart  and  told  him  to  give  up  his  money,  but  he  happened  to 
have  pistols  in  his  pocket,  which  he  showed,  and  put  the  rascal 
to  flight. 

Palermo  is  in  a  horrible  situation.  They  have  driven  the 
King  from  them,  and  now  they  have  no  law  nor  any  one  to  gov- 
ern them.  Not  many  nights  since  a  murder  was  perpetrated 
near  where  we  lay,  and  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  find  dead 
bodies  in  the  streets  in  the  morning.  No  one  cares  enough 
about  it  'to  inquire  into  the  affair  or  punish  the  transgressor. 
During  the  revolution  the  citizens  killed  in  the  most  horrible 
manner  the  policemen  of  the  city,  skinning  them  alive,  cutting 
out  their  tongues,  taking  out  their  hearts,  and  eating  them 
even  while  they  were  quivering  with  life,  and  torturing  them  in 
every  possile  manner.  The  offenders  go  unpunished.  Such 
is  monarchial  government  when  the  monarch  is  dethroned. 

Friday,  the  8th.  This  morning  according  to  previous  com- 
mands, four  donkeys  were  on  the  quay,  upon  which  Captain 
Hutchinson,  B,  myself  and  Vincenzo,  a  guid'e,  seated  ourselves 
and  proceeded  up  the  mountain  called  Pelligrino,  and  in  two 
hours  we  found  ourselves  upon  the  top.  Here  is  a  cave  with 
which  the  following  legend  is  connected. 

One  of  the  former  kings  of  the  place  had  a  very  beau- 
tiful daughter  who  left  her  father's  house  and    could    never 


192 

be  found.  Some  supposed  that  she  had  drowned  herself 
for  her  lover,  others  that  she  was  devoured  by  wild  beasts; 
but  after  some  years  had  elapsed,  some  bones  were  found  in  this 
cave  which  were  supposed  to  be  hers. 

Accordingly  they  informed  her  father  that  her  bones  were 
in  this  cave.  He  did  not  believe  it,  until  a  priest  dreamed  that 
these  were  her  bones,  which  was  sufficient  proof  to  his  super- 
stitious mind.  Sometime  after  this,  Palermo  was  visited  by  a 
plague,  and  these  bones  were  brought  from  the  mountain  and 
carried  through  the  streets  and  the  plague  ceased.  This  con- 
vinced the  people  that  she  was  holy,  and  /since  that  time  she 
has  been  the  patron  saint  of  this  island. 

After  this  the  people  built  a  road  ^t  enormous  expense, 
four  miles  in  length,  up  the  side  of  the  mountain  to  the  cave, 
and  there  have  built  a  church,  the  front  of  which  extends  from 
the  cave  a  number  of  feet.  In  this  church  is  an  image  of  St. 
Eosalie,  as  they  call  her,  under  the  altar  covered  with  gold, 
around  which  candles  are  burning  day  and  night,  and  many 
persons  while  sick  have  prayed  to  this  saint,  promising,  that  if 
she  would  restore  them  to  health,  they  would  perform  a  journey 
up  to  the  cave  on  their  knees.  Others  have  vowed  that  if  their 
lives  were  preserved  they  would  cut  off  their  hair  and  give  it  to 
her,  and  in  a  small  apartment  I  saw  long  braids  of  hair  hang- 
ing together.  We  examined  all  that  we  wished  to  see,  then 
seated  ourselves  again  upon  the  donkey's  back  and  took  a  cir- 
cuit around  the  mountain,  over  innumerable  sharp  stones ;  not 
even  a  foot-path  was  to  be  seen.  But  letting  the  animals  pick 
their  own  way  they  safely  brought  us  to  another  place  where 
there  was  a  marble  staJtue  of  this  saint,  but  the  wind  had  blown  it 
down  and  the  head  was  sunk  some  feet  in  the  earth.  The  three 
men  contrived  to  turn  it  over,  and  succedeed  after  some  time,  in 
breaking  off  some  pieces  of  the  face,  which  we  put  in  our  pockets, 
But  enough  of  this  saint. 

The  morning  being  fine,  the  air  cool  and  bracing,  and  our 
spirits  considerably  elated,  the  jaunt  was  most  delightful. 

An  occasional  slip  from  the  donkey's  back  afforded  much 
amusement  to  those  who  were  not  the  victims.  My  beast  was 
quite  sure  footed.  If  it  had  not  been  the  case,  I  would  not 
have  run  the  risk  of  keeping  my  seat  upon  his  back  while  he 
mounted  a  flight  of  steps,  ten  in  number,  up  which  he  safely 
carried  me.  Never  did  I  think  before  that  I  should  ride  up 
stairs  upon  a  donkey's  back,  or  through  a  person's  entry,  which 
we  did  both  in  going  around  and  coming  back.     The  only  incon- 


193 

venience  in  this  last  was,  in  passing  througli  the  doors,  to  keep 
the  head  low  enough  to  keep  clear. 

But  on  coming  back,  the  beast  would  not  stir  one  inch  after 
we  came  to  the  steps,  until  I  had  dismounted,  and  glad  enough 
I  was,  for  he  nearly  fell  prostrate  in  making  the  attempt. 
So  I  think  that  he  showed  his  wisdom.  Our  ride  down  was 
rather  tedious,  being  so  descending,  but  in  two  hours  we  found 
ourselves  at  the  bottom,  and  starting  our  animals  into  a  trot, 
were  soon  on  board  of  the  bark. 

In  the  afternooii  we  took  a  coach  and  drove  through  the  pub- 
lic streets  to  see  a  procession,  which  was  a  very  imposing  sight. 
I  saw  more  people  than  I  ever  saw  at  one  time  in  my  life  be- 
fore. It  was  a  military  parade.  In  one  coach  I  saw  a  prince 
wrapped  in  a  mantle  wrought  with  gold,  looking  as  lordly  as 
though  there  were  no  other  beings  worth  noticing  but  himself 
in  the  place. 

Saturday,  the  9th.  We  are  nearly  loaded,  and  expect  to 
complete  our  cargo  this  forenoon  and  as  I  have  a  little  shop- 
ping to  do,  I  must  go  this  morning. 

Afternoon.  I  called  with  B  upon  the  American  consul  and 
saAv  liis  wife  and  daughter.  The  old  lady  had  the  appearance 
of  some  beauty  in  her  younger  days,  and  even  now  shows  more 
vanity  than  her  daughter,  who  is  about  being  married  to  an 
officer  in  the  French  army.  Her  mother  wished  her  to  show 
me  some  of  her  handkerchiefs,  for  which  she  paid  ten  'dollars 
for  the  embroidering  and  one  dollar  for  the  cloth.  They  were 
certainly  very  beautifully  done,  but  this  did  not  raise  her  in 
my  estimation.  To  think  that  so  much  money  was  foolishly 
wasted !  My  stop  was  not  very  lengthy,  as  B  was  somewhat  in 
a  hurry,  s'o  we  bade  them  good-by,  and  proceeded  to  a  silk  store 
and  purchased  what  articles  I  wished  for,  then  drove  back  and 
came  on  board. 

I  have  been  stowing  my  things  away  for  a  voyage  across  the 
Atlantic.  When  we  came  on  board  we  found  everything  all  in 
readiness  to  haul  out,  which  was  done  as  soon  as  we  dined,  and 
at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  all  sail  was  set,  and  a  light  land 
breeze  favored  us,  so  we  slowly  moved  out  of  the  harbor.  As 
we  had  'discharged  the  second  mate,  B  stood  the  first  watch, 
and  as  the  evening  was  fine  I  walked  deck  with  him  until  ten 
o'clock,  then  retired. 

Sunday.  During  the  night  the  wind  died  away  into  a  calm, 
so  that  we  made  but  little  progress,  and  this  morning  we  are 
still  quite  near  the  land,  so  that  unless  the  wind  breezes  up,  we 
shall   not  do  much  this  day. 


194 

Friday,  the  15th.  We  have  been  beeahne'd'  ever  since  we  came 
out,  and  have  gained  but  very  little.  The  Island  of  Sardinia 
is  now  at  our  right  in  plain  sight,  and  during  the  night  we  have 
had  wind  enough  to  steer  the  vessel,  so  that  we  are  encouraged 
to  hope  that  we  shall  not  always  remain  in  this  place.  Noth- 
ing particular  has  occurred  since  we  left  Palermo. 

What  does  this  indicate? 

Sunday,  the  17th.  Last  evening  a  light  breeze  sprang  up 
to  the  westward  and  all  studdingsails  were  set,  and'  through 
the  night  we  went  slowly  along  towards  our  native  land.  This 
morning  the  wind  increased,  and  now  we  go  five  and  a  half  miles 
an  hour,  according  to  the  log,  which  was  heajved  a  short  time 
ago.  It  is  Sunday  and  everything  is  very  still  on  board.  No 
one  makes  the  least  noise  excepting  our  canaries ;  they  sing 
very  briskly.  The  cook  has  lost  one  of  his;  he  left  the  cage 
open  and  it  tried  its  little  wings,  and,  poor  thing,  it  soared  too 
high,  and  as  it  never  came  back,  I  suppose  it  found  a  watery 
grave. 

We  have  now  been  out  a  week  and  one  day,  and  have  made 
but  little  progress,  but  if  we  can  keep  this  wind  we  shall  see  the 
Rock  of  Gibraltar  before  next  Saturday  night,  which  will  be  a 
very  decent  passage ;  but  it  is  no  use  to  make  calculations  before- 
hand to  be  disappointed,  for  before  one  hour  has  expired,  the 
wind  may  be  ahead. 

Thursday,  the  21st.  The  fair  wind  lasted  but  two  days,  then 
it  hauled  to  the  westward  and  has  been  there  until  noon  to- 
day, when  it  shifted  to  the  east  and  now  the  bark  is  showing  all 
her  canvas,  but  as  the  wind  is  so  light  we  progress  but  very 
little.  B  has  been  sleeping  all  the  evening  upon  the  sofa,  but 
just  now  he  rose  and  walked  on  deck  and  took  a  survey  of 
things,  then  came  back  and  undressed  and  retired  for  the  night. 

Monday,  the  25th.  A  head  wind,  and  not  near  the  straits 
yet,  it  is  really  discouraging;  we  have  been  sixteen  days  out, 
and  still  a  head  wind. 

I  should  like  to  take  a  peep  at  the  people  at  home  this  even- 
ing, and  see  if  they  are  all  well  and  spending*  their  Christmas 
Eve  in  a  pleasant  manner.  Oh,  the  presents  that  St.  Nicholas 
sent  to  the  little  folks  if  they  were  thoughtful  enough  to  hang 
up  their  stockings  for  him, — no  doubt  that  Charles,  George  and 
William  shared  his  favors  largely,  as  he  was  their  particular 
friend  last  year. 

Oh,  what  nonsense  I  have  written,  and  all  for  the  want  of 
something  of  importance,  to  pass  away  the  evening.  It  is 
merely  for  pastime  that  I  am  now  writing,  as  I  am  sleepy  and 


195 

do  not  intend  to  retire  until  the  bell  strikes  the  hour  of  nine. 
There !  It  peals  out  upon  the  dark  night,  and  the  response  is 
heard  from  the  other  one  that  is  forward.  This  is  to  keep  the 
sailors  awake. 

Wednesday,  the  27th.  Last  evening  the  sun  went  down 
gloriously,  the  whole  western  horizon  was  illuminated  with 
every  shade  of  color.  It  was  a  rare  sight,  and  one  that  almost 
enchanted  me  as  I  stood  gazing  at  it  for  half  an  hour  after  it 
had  sunk  in  its  watery  bed.  A  sunset  at  sea  is  more  beautiful 
thaji  on  the  land,  but  not  so  with  a  sunrise,  for  then  there  are 
many  surrounding  objects  w^hich  lend  a  charm  to  the  scene. 

We  are  now  surrounded  with  a  thick  fog,  and  scarcely  a  breath 
of  wind  to  help  us  along.  We  have  been  in  sight  of  the  land 
four  days,  and  becalmed  for  the  most  of  the  time.  This  is 
very  trying  to  B's  patience,  as  he  wishes  to  get  to  Xew  York 
in  less  than  sixty  days,  which  is  the  time  set  by  the  charterers. 
He  says  that  he  wishes  that  he  had  been  drunk  before  he  took 
this  freight. 

Friday,  the  29th.  The  fog  has  left  us  and  in  its  stead'  we 
have  a  fine  breeze  from  the  eastward,  which,  if  it  continues  two 

Saturday,  the  30th.  This  morning  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar 
days,  we  shall  be  through  the  straits. 

was  in  sight,  but  the  wind  died  away  ayl  we  have  had  scarcely 
a  breath  of  air  to-day,  and  thus  are  but  very  little  nearer  the 
straits  than  we  were  this  morning.  Such  is  the  uncertainty 
of  everything.  If  we  could  manage  the  wind  ourselves,  it  would 
always  be  in  our  favor,  I  suppose;  but  this  not  being  the  case, 
we  have  to  submit  to  a  wiser  power  than  our  own. 

Sunday,  the  31st.  At  twelve  in  the  night  a  light  breeze 
sprang  up,  which  started'  us  slowly.  Towards  morning  it  in- 
creased to  an  eight  knot  breeze,  which  has  carried  us  through  the 
straits  at  last. 

Wednesday,  the  3d.  The  weather  has  moderated  so  that  the 
reefs  are  shaken  out,  but  we  do  not  go  within  three  points  of 
our  course. 

Thursday,  the  4th.  Still  a  strong  breeze  and  occasionally  a 
squall  strikes  us  so  violently  that  the  topgallant  yards  have  to 
be  lowered  to  ease  the  mast.  We  have  now  made  three  degrees 
southward  since  we  left  Gibraltar.  For  the  last  two  hours  we 
have  been  in  company  with  a  brig  under  double  reefed  topsails, 
on  the  same  course  as  ourselves,  but  we  are  passing  her,  and 
hope  soon  to  leave  her  astern. 

Saturday,  the  6th.  We  are  pitching  and  rolling  the  worst 
kind  with  the  wind  ahead,  and  the  Canary  Islands  under  our 


196 

« 

lee.  Disagreeable  situation !  Yet  no  help  for  the  poor,  care- 
worn mariner;  bear  it  he  must. 

Sunday,  the  7th.  Rose  at  five  o'clock  this  morning,  weary 
enough  after  a  miserable  night's  rest.  I  was  cradled'  upon  the 
tops  and  in  the  hollows  of  the  waves  all  night,  and  visited  with 
dreams  frightful  enough  to  horrify  one,  but  contrived,  not- 
withstanding all  this,  to  wash  and  comb  up  so  as  to  look  a  lit- 
tle decent,  but  the  bark  did  not  cease  to  make  her  obeisance 
all  the  time  in  every  possible  manner.  B  did  not  sleep  last 
night  but  stood  his  watch  (which,  b\.  the  by,  he  often  does  now, 
as  we  have  no  second  mate).  During  the  night  he  has  smoked 
and  chewed  so  much  tobacco,  that  he  looks  quite  pale  and  ex- 
hausted this  morning;  still  he  thinks  that  he  does  not  chew  at 
all.  Strange  delusion !  Care  does  not  sit  lightly  upon  him. 
It  makes  sad  inroads  in  one  night.  Oh,  the  people  on  the  land 
know  not  how  hardly  earned  a  sailor's  money  is.  No !  No. 
Let  them  be  tossed  upon  the  mountain  waves  as  we  have  been 
for  the  last  twenty-four  hours,  let  them  be  obliged  to  grasp 
hold  of  something  to  keep  from  falling  every  time  they  move, 
let  them  stand  up  and  take  the  squalls  of  rain  as  they  come  in 
their  fury,  and  let  them  go  aloft  upon  the  yards  and  reef  the 
sails,  when  it  seems  a  thing  almost  impossible  for  a  man  to  hold 
on,  much  more  to  roll  up  the  sails,  let  them  take  their  meals 
and  thrust  the  food  down  their  throats  as  quick  as  possible  for 
fear  of  its  rolling  out  of  their  mouths  before  it  is  swallowed, 
then  let  them  lie  in  their  berths  and  be  rolled  from  side  to  side 
with  a  vehemence  which  it  seems  impossible  to  rest  under, — 
there  let  them  lie,  and  think  you  that  they  will  say  that  their 
recompense  is  too  much. 

Monday,  the  8th.  Yesterday  the  wind  came  out  from  th* 
northeast,  and  as  it  has  lasted  until  to-day,  we  are  encouraged 
to  think  that  it  is  the  trade  winds.  Have  seen  three  vessels 
steering  southwest  to-day,  one  of  which  showed  her  banner 
with  St.  George's  cross  on  it.  Our  stars  and  stripes  were 
quickly  and  proudly  run  up,  then  down  went  his  flag  and  on  he 
passed.  Our  latitude  shows  us  to  be  in  30.21  to-day,  and  going 
six  knots. 

Thursday  evening,  the  11th,  half  past  eight  o'clock.  The 
wind  has  proved  itself  to  be  what  we  wished,  namely  trade 
winds,  but  has  been  very  light  until  this  evening,  the  log  being 
thrown  shows  us  to  be  going  seven  and  one  half  miles  per 
hour..  Everything  goes  on  pleasantly  this  passage.  The  men 
are  a  very  peaceable  set  and  willing  to  do  their  duty.  One  man 
^  has  been  laid  up  with  the  rheumatism  for  some  days ;  we  have 


197 

given  him  such  remedies  as  we  could,  but  nothing  seems  to  re- 
lieve hjm.  I  suppose  that  he  will  have  to  bear  it  until  it 
leaves  of  its  own  accord. 

Ezra  has  learned  very  fast  since  we  left  Palermo.  Ben- 
jamin thinks  he  will  make  a  sailor.  He  is  quite  active,  and 
as  willing  as  a  boy  need  be,  and  seems  very  anxious  to  learn 
seamanship.  And  as  for  myself,  am  about  retiring  for  the 
night,  hoping  that  we  shall  have  a  nine  knot  breeze  in  the 
morning. 

Saturday,  the  13th.  Evening,  half  past  seven  o'clock.  The 
week  has  passed  away  and  we  are  some  fifteen  degrees  nearer 
New  York  than  we  were  last  Saturday.  The  wind  is  quite  light, 
but  as  we  have  fine  summer  weather,  we  ought  not  to  com- 
plain. Every  day  we  have  a  rainbow  and  little  showers,  which 
are  not  unpleasant  in  the  least.  We  are  now  one-third  of  our 
distance  to  New  York,  and  three  weeks  more  will  carry  us 
there,  if  it  only  blows  the  right  way  strong  enough. 

B  has  curled  himself  up  on  the  sofa  to  take  a  short  nap,  and 
I  am  all  alone  with  nothing  to  amuse  me,  and  obliged  to  hear 
our  mizzenniast  screech  out  a  most  diabolical  groan,  reminding 
one  of  "the — I  won't  say  what."  I  wish  the  man  that  finished 
it  was  obliged  to  sit  under  it  and  have  that  noise  in  his  ear  for 
a  few  hours  and  see  how  he  likes  it. 

The  bell  has  sounded  out  the  hour  of  eight,  at  which  signal 
the  watch  has  been  called.  Ezra  called  the  mate  the  second 
time  and  has  succeeded  in  awaking  him,  and  then  partaking 
of  a  large  draught  of  water  and  complaining  of  a  headache, 
has  "^turned  in"  as  the  sailors  say.  B  has  taken  a  look  at  things 
on  deck  ^nd  retired  for  the  night,  also,  so  must  I. 

Sunday,  the  1th.  According  to  observation,  we  have  gone 
since  last  Sunday  morning,  one  thousand  and  ten  miles,  which 
is  an  average  of  six  miles  per  hour,  which  is  the  best  week's 
work  that  this  vessel  has  ever  done.  This  is  a  very  quiet  day,  no 
work  on..  The  cook  has  paraded  his  clothes,  which  consist  of  a 
mattress,  bed'  clothes,  jackets,  pants,  shirts  and  a  hat,  out  to  take 
an  airing.  In  the  said  hat  were  several  tracts,  one  upon  tem- 
perance, which  B  has  taken  and  is  now  reading  aloud. 

Monday,  the  15th.  Since  yesterday  noon  we  have  gone  one 
hundred  and  eighty  miles,  which  brings  us  some  nearer  our 
journey's  end.  The  wind  is  quite  fresh  and  this  is  what  we 
want.  Oh,  good  wind !  do  stay  by  us  until  we  arrive  in  New 
York. 

Tuesday,  the  16th.  A  fine  wind,  just  as  much  as  we  wish 
since  yesterday.     The  sea    has    considerably    increased,    which 

-I'll. 


198 

makes  it  rather  uncomfortable  for  me,  as  I  am,  obliged  to  keep 
so  still,  however,  this  is  nothing  so  long  as  the  wind  is  fair. 

Wednesday,  the  17th.  As  B  has  retired  I. will  write  a  few 
lines  to  keep  me  awake,  as  it  is  too  early  to  go  to  sleep  yet,  for 
it  is  not  eight  o'clock. 

It  has  been  very  smooth  during  the  day,  so  that  I  have  fried 
doughnuts,  which,  by  the  by,  I  often  do  when  I  want  some  of 
my  own  cooking.  However,  our  old  darkey  is  as  good  a  cook 
as  we  often  get.     Good  night ! 

Friday,  the  19th.  Moderate,  indeed,  some  of  the  time 
scarcely  wind  enough  to  steer  the  vessel,  at  other  times  going 
three  miles  an  hour.  At  this  rate  we  shall  be  Liany  more  days 
before  we  get  to  New  York. 

Saturday,  the  20th.  Last  evening  the  wind  revived  a  little 
so  that  we  went  slowly  along  through  the  night,  but  this  morn- 
ing I  ascertained  that  we  were  going  nine  and  a  half  miles  per 
hour,  and  have  continued  to  do  so  through  the  day,  so  that  the 
prospect  brightens  again.  This  forenoon  passed  a  bark  under 
reefed  topsails  and  topgallantsails  furled,  while  we  had  never 
thought  of  taking  in  the  topmast  studdingsail  until  the  tack 
parted  and  reminded  B  that  it  had  better  lie  on  deck  for  the 
present.  We  are  now  making  northings,  having  been  as 
far  south  as  27,  and  doubtless  we  shall  experience  some  change 
of  weather  before  long. 

Monday,  the  22d.  The  wind  has  changed  and  fears  are  en- 
tertained that  'we  are  getting  out  of  the  trades,  which  will  be 
bad  business  for  us. 

Monday,  the  29th.  One  week  has  passed  away  since  I  last 
wrote  during  which  time  we  have  had  hea'd'  winds  and  calms, 
but  notwithstanding  this,  we  are  now  as  far  north  as  Bermuda, 
and  within  six  hundred  miles  of  New  York,  and  are  now  mov- 
ing slowly  along  with  square  yards,  about  four  miles  per  hour. 
One  vessel  in  sight.  The  weather  is  fine  as  we  could  wish, 
so  warm  that  the  men  are  bare-footed  and  in  their  shirt  sleeves, 
about  their  work.     Such  is  our  winter  so  far. 

Wednesday,  the  31st.  The  last  day  of  the  month.  The 
wind'  is  now  ahead  and  no  prospect  of  a  change. 

February  2d.  No  observation  for  three  days,  being  dark 
and  rainy.  Sounded  this  afternoon  but  did  not  get  bottom. 
The  wind  northwest,  the  bark  under  double  reefs,  it  is  cold 
and  uncomfortable ;  we  have  a  fire  in  the  cabin  for  the  first  time 
since  we  left  the  straits.  B  is  asleep  on  the  floor  ten  minutes  of 
eight  o'clock.  The  log  has  just  been  thrown,  going  four  and 
one  half  miles  per  hour,  hea'ding  north  by  east,  which  is  not  very 


199 

j^leasing  to  us,  who  want  to  be  in  New  York  to-morrow,  no,  no 
indeed ! 

Saturday,  the  3d.  A  cold  day;  ice  has  made  in  the  shade 
during  the  day.  A  small  sail  is  visible;  B  takes  his  spyglass 
and  looks ;  it  is  a  pilot  boat,  she  is  bearing  down  for  us ;  in  a 
half  hour  she  is  within  speaking  distance.  "Do  you  want  a 
pilot?"  "Yes.''  "Back  the  main  yard."  'Tis  done.  They 
put  out  a  boat  and  in  a  few  moments  the  pilot  jumps  on  board. 
He  proved  to  be  the  same  man  who  t(Ook  us  in  when  we  were 
from  Hamburg.     We  shall  not  reach  N^ew  York  this  night. 

Sunday,  the  4th.  The  wind  died  away  during  the  night, 
and  the  anchor  was  dropped  and  at  six  this  morning  got  un- 
der way  again  and  are  now  heading  for  Staten  Island,  with  a 
little  breeze  and  are  in  hopes  to  be  in  Xew  York  before  night. 

At  two  o'clock  we  arrived  safe  in  Xew  York. 

Wednesday,  the  7th.  Last  evening  went  to  the  museum  and 
saw  a' man  that  wa^  over  seven  feet  high;  a  noble  looking 
fellow  with  a  mild  blue  eye  and  a  smiling  countenance.  He 
paraded  around  with  a  lady  who  was  nearly  his  height,  and 
a  nice  looking  couple  they  were. 


Voyage  to  Havana. 

March  3d'.  Left  ^ew  York  this  morning  with  a  fair  wind; 
discharged  the  pilot  at  three  o'clock,  and  proceeded  to  sea. 

Sunday,  the  4th.  This  day  the  new  president-  takes  his  seat 
and  may  his  reign  upon  the  presidential  chair  be  as  successful 
as  his  siege  of  Monterey.  The  wind  continues  fair,  and  the 
weather  has  moderated  some. 

Sunday,  11th.  Our  cook  has  proved  to  be  one  of  the  dirtiest 
fellows  in  existence ;  we  could  eat  nothing  with  any  relish  that 
he  cooked.  Yesterday  B  sent  him  forward  and  took  one  of 
the  men  in  his  place.  So  now  Mr.  Cook  can  be  seen  with  the 
sailors  instead  of  in  his  galley. 

Monday,  the  12th.  Becalmed.  Nothing  of  importance,  ex- 
cepting the  dog,  Zip,  appears  to  be  sick. 

Friday,  the  16th.  Arrived  this  morning  and  were  obliged 
to  anchor  outside  of  the  guard  boat  on  account  of  the  winds  be- 
ing light.  B  soon  dressed  himself,  and  went  ashore  to  seek  for 
business. 

Sunday,  April  8,  1849.  The  holidaj^s  commenced  Thurs- 
day, the  12th.  We  went  ashore  and  saw  the  procession,  which 
consisted  of  priests  with  their  heads  shaven  on    the   top    and 


200      ■ 

dressed  in  black  and  white  robes,  preceded  by  a  band'  of  music, 
and  followed  by  the  ca-r  which  carried  the  ima,ge  of  Christ  to 
be  buried. 

April  20th.  Yesterday  completed  our  cargo,  and  shall  be 
ready  for  sea  to-morrow  morning. 

April  23d.  Left  Havana  early  in  the  morning  with  a  light 
breeze,  which  increased  as  w^e  proceeded  to  sea. 

April  27th,  To-morrow  morning  will  complete  one  week  of 
our  voyage  to  Cowes.  It  is  Sunday.  Through  the  night  there 
have  been  showers  of  rain,  so  that  the  walls  and  the  floor,  the 
bottom  of  my  dress,  the  chairs,  the  table,  my  shawl  and  the 
bed  clothes  and  crockery  are  covered  with  a  damp,  disagree- 
able, humid  salt  water  moisture.  The  sky  is  overcast.  The 
pigs,  who  quarreled  all  night,  are  let  loose  about  the  deck, 
looking  lank  and  cross  enough.  The  pigeons  are  lifted  out  of 
their  house  and  have  hopped  into  the  cabin,  and,  having  their 
several  portions  allotted  them,  have  left  their  own  heap  of  seed, 
and  quarreled  with  each  other  to  ascertain  which  shall  eat 
the  whole.  The  dog  being  called,  drops  his  ears  and  trots  for- 
ward as  fast  as  his  legs  will  carry  him,  and  as  for  myself,  I 
am  tired'  of  the  sea,  tired  of  the  motion  and  tired  of  seeing  the 
ropes,  the  sails,  the  spars,  the  everlasting  waters  which  are  bear- 
ing us  on,  on.  In  short,  I  am  tired  of  myself  and  will  quit. 
Good  night. 

Monday  morning.  May  7th.  For  two  days  we  have  had  head 
winds,  but  this  morning  it  is  on  our  beam,  and  with  it  an  ex- 
ceedingly bad  sea,  which  heaves  the  vessel  in  every  possible  di- 
rection, so  that  it  is  utterly  impossible  to  know  what  is  to  be 
our  next  position.  The  barometer  is  falling.  We  have  just 
dined  on  boiled  beef  and  potatoes,  the  dessert  being  pumpkin 
pie,  which  Zip,  the  dog,  is  very  fond  of,  and  as  I  am  seasick, 
I  do  not  feel  much  like  eating,  nor  anything  else. 

Tuesday,  the  8th.  A  bad  sea  this  day,  but  a  fair  wind,  and 
through  the  night  we  w^nt  nine  knots  per  log,  which  is  very 
good  for  a  deep  loaded  vessel.  I  do  not  feel  much  like  writing, 
for  my  ideas  are  blunted'  by  seasickness,  so  that  I  am  capable  of 
producing  nothing  of  importance. 

The  wind  astern.  This  day  completes  the  sixteenth  day  since 
we  left  Havana,  and  we  are  now  in  the  longitude  of  the  western 
edge  of  the  Newfoundland  Bank.  I  hope  that  we  shall  be  in  the 
English  channel  in  sixteen  more  days.  B  is  busy  reading  novels 
for  some  days  past^  Dombey  and  Son,  etc.  It  is  quite  warm  for 
this  time  of  the  year,  and  as  we  are  in  latitude  39.30  do  not  ex- 
pect to  see  any  ice,  at  all  events  hope  not. 


201 

Thursday,  the  10th.  This  morning  arose  unrefreshed  after 
a  night's  rocking  in  Neptune's  cradle,  and  ascertained  that  we 
were  under  double  reefs,  while  the  wind  was  uttering  piercing 
screams  through  every  rope  on  board,  and  the  sea  coming  over 
us  filling  the  waist  full,  and  wetting  the  men  at  a  shocking  rate, 
and  the  bark  pitching  and  rolling  through  the  ocean  at  the  rate 
of  nine  miles  per  hour.  We  are  now  all  clear  of  the  banks, 
and  no  appearance  of  ice. 

Saturday,  the  12th.  A  fine  wind,  yards  square,  all  studding- 
sails  set  that  will  draw,  and  for  the  most  of  the  time  since  ves- 
terday  the  decks  have  been  clear  of  water. 

Ship  Pumgustuck,  New  Orleans,  March  24,  1851. 

We  are  now  lying  between  two  ships,  which  is  more  agreeable 
than  being  alone,  as  they  in  a  measure  protect  us  from  the  mo- 
tion to  which  we  should  otherwise  be  subjected,  occasioned 
by  the  continual  passing  and  re-passing  of  the  steamboats. 

Commenced  loading  to-day  with  cotton  for  St.  Petersburg, 
which  will  be  a  long  voyage.  Nothing  in  particular  worth 
writing  down  has  occurred  since  wq  arrived  here.  We  have  a 
Qplored  cook  named  Phyllis ;  she  talks  a  great  deal,  but  answers 
our  purpose  very  well.  Frances  and  myself  had  some  ^very 
pretty  bouquets  of  flowers  sent  us  to-day ;  hers  was  from  a  mar- 
ried, and  mine  from  an  unmarried  man.  What  does  this  sig- 
nify? Simply  that  the  mate  of  the  ship  alongside  wishes  to 
get  acquainted  with  Frances. 

April  27th.  We  have  been  out  almost  three  weeks  and  have 
been  favored  with  fair  winds  and  quite  pleasant  weather  the 
most  of  the  time,  and  have  progressed  equal  to  our  anticipaltions, 
are  within  one  day's  sail  of  the  Newfoundland  Banks  Few 
things  have  transpired  since  we  left  worthy  of  much  notice. 
Mr.  Chandler  is  first  mate  and  a  Dutchman  second  mate,  an  In- 
dian cook  and  a  Hottentot  stewaTd,  all  of  whom  give  satisfac- 
tion at  times. 

It  is  Sunday,  and  almost  calm,  and  the  usual  scene  which 
occurs  at  sea  at  such  times  is  now  at  hand.  The  sails  are  flap- 
ping lazily  against  the  masts  and  rigging;  the  ship  is  on  her 
bottom  (which,  by  the  by,  is  not  often  the  case)  and  appears  to  be 
resting  herself;  the  mate  has  cleaned  himself  up  for  the  oc- 
casion; the  captain  is  arranging  something  about  the  wheel. 
The  second  mate  is  not  well,  and  it  is  his  forenoon  watteh. 
George  is  playing  with  his  dog,  and  happy  as  usual ;  Frances  is 
reading ;  I  am  writing. 


202 

Monday,  the  28th.  A  strong  easterly  wind,  the  ship  is 
reefed  down.  At  seven  in  the  evening  all  sails  were  furled, 
except  the  spencer,  and  so  we  lay  to  the  wind  until  morning, 
when  it  had  so  much  subsided  that  at  six  o'clock  commenced 
putting  on  sail  again. 

But  the  barometer  has  fallen  so  much  during  the  night,  that 
B  thinks  that  we  shall  soon  have  more  wind,  and  we  all  desire 
that  it  may  come  from  a  different  quairter.  It  is  quitei  calm, 
and  George  is  trying  his  abiliiJies  to  make  a  stir  about  catch- 
ing fish.  The  steward  has  found  some  hooks  and  for  the  want 
of  a  line,  operations  are  suspended  for  a  while. 

Wednesday,  the  29th.  This  morning  the  wind  changed  to 
the  eastward  after  being  to  the  west  for  the  last  eighteen  hours, 
and  now  things  look  quite  dubious,  for  the  fog  and  clouds  are 
flying  about  in  all  directions. 

Thursday,  May  1st.  The  wind  is  still  ahead,  and  the  last 
night  we  rode  out  under  a  reefed  maintopsail,  the  wind  being 
so  strong  that  the  ship  was  completely  on  her  side,  which  makes 
it  very  unpleasant  for  us  who  are  obliged  to  sit  all  day  long,  and 
likewise  for  those  who  use  their  feet,  on  account!  of  their  mak- 
ing so  much  lee  way.  The  cabin  occupants  are  busy  as  usual. 
B  is  reading ;  Frances  is  embroidering  a  cap ;  George  is  making 
his  first  attempt  at  sail  making :  his  father  has  put  his  ingenuity 
tio  a  lest  in  making  a  palm  for  his  little  hand ;  the  dog  is  trying 
to  make  George  play  with  him ;  the  fire  burns  in  the  stove ; 
the  wind  howls  outside;  the  ship  careens,  then  rights  herself 
again,  and,  what  now?     The  cook  is  splittiing  wood'. 

Friday,  May  2d.  The  wind  still  ahead  and  no  prospect  of  a 
change,  excepting  that  it  is  quite  light,  which  makes  us  hope 
that  it  may  die  away  and  come  from  another  quarter.  This 
week's  work  is  small,  and  is  lengthening  out  the  passage. 

Dined  on  baked  beans  and  rhubarb  pie. 

Sunday,  May  4th.  Easterly  wind  still  keeps  us  in  its  power, 
and  hearts  on  board  of  the  ship  Pumgustuck  are  beating  high 
in  anticipation  of  a  change,  but  the  change  comes  not.  Will 
this  wind  hold  us  in  its  chains  another  six  days  like  the  last? 
Or  will  some  kind,  sweet  westerly  wind  blow  from  where  the 
Indian  believes  the  Good  Spirit  dwells?  vSunday  comes  often 
to  us  on  the  ocean,  yet  we  cannot  feel  the  same  that  we  do  when 
we  can  go  to  the  house  of  God,  for  necessity  compels  many 
on  board  of  the  ship  to  go  through  their  usual  routine  of  work, 
and  such  as  are  not  obliged  to  work,  do  it  from  choice.  Such  is 
Sunday  at  sea. 

Mondav,  the  5th."     Calm;  not  wind  enough  to  steer  the  ship. 


203 

Every  moment  is  now  spent  in  the  best  manner  putting  the 
rigging  in  order,  nothing  having  been  'done  as  yet  since  we 
came  out. 

Tuesday,  the  6th.  A  light  southerly  breeze  and  now  we  move 
slowly  along,  which  is  better  than  drifting  back,  as  we  did 
yesterday. 

Wednesday,  the  7th.  Light  wind  westerly.  This  morning 
quite  an  incident  occurred.  The  mate  saw  something  to  the 
windward  and  informed  B  of  it.  He  took  his  glass  and  looked, 
and  said  that  it  looked  like  a  raft,  which  he  thought  might 
have  been  made  by  some  poor  beings  to  live  upon.  The  boat 
was  lowered  and  two  men  with  the  mate  and  George  started  in 
pursuit  of  the  object.  It  being  but  a  short  distance  off,  they 
soon  gained  it  and  made  fast  and  towed  it  alongside.  It 
proved  to  be  a  part  of  a  wreck,  which  must  have  been  in  the 
water  a  long  time  by  its  being  covered  with  innumerable  bar- 
nacles, which  were  of  enormous  size  and  length.  There  was  a 
school  of  fish  under  it  so  they  followed  it,  and  the  mate  caught 
a  meas  which  we  had  fried  for  dinner.  They  then  hoisted  it 
on  board  so  that  the  fish  were  obliged  to  leave  it,  but  are  now 
following  us  at  the  stern.     The  wood  is  of  some  value  to  burn. 

Thursday,  the  8th.  The  wind  has  hauled  to  its  old  place 
to  the  east,  and  there  is  scarcely  enough  to  steer  the  ship. 
This  a  hard  case  and  truly  discouraging,  now  that  we  are  on 
a  long  voyage  and  what  is  to  be  done?  We  cannot  tell,  as  we 
have  had  head  winds  and  calms  all  of  the  time  since  we  left 
]*\'ew  Orleans,  with  the  exception  of  one  week. 

Friday,  the  9th.  Calm  and  exceedingly  pleasant.  The 
ocean  is  at  rest,  with  the  exception  of  a  gentle  swell  which  rises 
occasionally  and  buoys  us  on  its  top,  then  gently  glides  away  and 
mingles  with  its  fellow  waves.  Calm  and  glassy  as  a  mirror  is  old 
Ocean.  The  fish  still  are  at  the  stern.  Frances,  the  mate  and 
George  seem  determined  to  catch  some  of  the  little  craft. 

Saturday,  the  10th.  To-day,  the  wind  to  our  great  joy,  came 
gently  but  surely  from  the  west,  and  now  we  go  slowly  toward 
our  desired  haven. 

Sunday,  the  11th.  Now  the  good  ship  goes  briskly  over  the 
briny  deep.  There  is  some  appearance  of  rain.  Now  it  comes; 
perhaps  we  may  catch  water  enough  to  wash  on  Monday. 

Monday,  the  12th.  Strong  west  winds;  we  are  going  at  the 
rate  of  nine  knots  per  hour. 

Tuesday,  the  13th.  During  the  night  the  mate  says  that  for 
two  hours  and  a  half  we  went  ten  knots,  but  this  morning  it 
is  almost  calm,  and  we  fear  that  a  change  will  come. 


204 

Wednesday,  the  14th.  Surely  a  head  wind  and  such  is  our 
lot  in  a  world  of  disappointment. 

Thursday,  the  15th.  Last  night  the  wind  favored  us,  and 
the  foretopmast  studdingsail  was  set,  and  we  went  finely 
through  the  night  and  to-day,  going  off  nine  knots.  It 
has  rained  the  most  of  the  time  since  Sunday.  All  of  our 
water  casks  are  filled. 

We  have  one  man  sick  now  in  the  forecastle,  and  so  it  has 
been  for  the  most  of  the  time  since  we  came  out,  but  as  it  has 
happened  there  has  been  but  one  at  a  time,  so  that  it  has  caused 
but  little  inconvenience  in  working  the  ship. 

Friday,  the  16th.  We  are  now  counting  off  the  days  that  will 
expire  before  we  gain  the  entrance  of  the  English  channel.  I 
calculate  that  four  more  days  like  the  last  four  will  carry  us 
there,  but  how  many  things  may  transpire  to  prevent  before 
that  time  expires.  This  morning  we  had  more  wind  than  we 
wanted ;  this  afternoon  it  died  away  to  a  moderate  breeze. 

Saturday,  the  17th.  Things  are  going  on  very  favorably, 
and  we  are  all  hoping  that  we  shall  have  a  pleasant  passage 
through  the  English  channel. 

Sunday,  the  18th.  We  go  off  finely  and  if  this  breeze  con- 
tinues we  shall  make  the  land  to-morrow. 

Monday,  the  19th.  Arose  this  morning  after  a  night  of  pro- 
found sleeping,  and  went  on  deck  a.nd  saw  a  pilot  boat  ahead. 
Soon  she  came  alongside  as  near  as  it  was  possible  for  her  to 
get  on  account  of  the  wind  and  waves.  B  inquired  how  Scilly 
bore  and  received  this  answer,  "Back  your  main  yard."  But 
B  did  not  want  a  pilot,  so  on  we  went  and  soon  the  little  boat 
was  out  of  sight  astern. 

Tuesday,  the  20tih.  This  morning  we  were  up  to  Start  light. 
The  wind  is  very  light,  but  it  being  right  after  us  and  the  at- 
mosphere free  from  fog,  B  feels  very  well  satisfied.  Pilot  boats 
are  plenty.  One  came  alogside  in  his  boat  and  hailed  to  know 
where  we  were  bound,  and  being  informed  then  wanted  to  know 
if  we  wanted  company.  B  said  "Xo !"  Whereupon  he  went  off, 
saying  that  he  hoped  that  the  next  time  we  came  we  should  be 
glad  of  company  at  any  rate. 

Wednesday,  21.  Light  wind  Uirough  the  night  and  this  morn- 
ing finds  us  at  Beechy  Head.  Dull  and  rainy,  so  that  B  feels 
exceedingly  anxious,  as  we  are  now  approaching  the  Straits 
of  Dover,  which  is  considered  dangerous  in  thick  weather. 
Yesterday  washed  and  ironed.  To-day  shall  dine  on  goose- 
berry pie  and  cold  tongue. 


205 

Thursday,  the  22d.  Yesterday  passed  Dover  and  now  are 
passing  tihrough  the  straits,  so  that  B  finds  no  rest  for  himself, 
day  or  night. 

Friday.  We  are  now  in  the  North  Sea  with  very  little  wind. 
Fishing  boats  are  plenty;  one  came  alongside  and  we  traded 
with  them  for  some  skates  and  flounders,  the  former  they 
praised  much.  I  tasted  one  morsel  of  the  fried,  skate,  which 
was  enough. 

Saturday,  the  24th.  Head  winds  all  last  night,  but  this  af- 
ternoon it  is  more  favorable,  so  that  the  foretopmast  studding- 
sail  boom  is  being  shoved  out.  It  is  almost  entirely  still;  no 
noise,  either  with  the  vessel  nor  water.  The  little  tap,  tap  of 
the  men  with  their  marlin  spike  is  all  the  noise  that  is  now 
heard.     What  a  contrast  with  the  roaring  ocean ! 

Sunday,  the  25th.  Quite  a  strong  breeze,  and  we  are  now  on 
Dogger  Bank.  Nothing  of  any  importance  has  occurred 
this  day,  saving  a  long  nap  accompanied  with  a  dream  about 
^^Home,"  which  was  a  spirit  visitation,  no  doubt,  from  the 
land  of  my  birth. 

George  is  having  a  frolic  with  the  dog,  notwithstanding  it  is 
Sunday. 

The  sun  now  sets  at  half  past  eight  o'clock.  The  steward  has 
made  a  roaring  fire,  w^hich  is  not  uncomfortable  to  sit  by  iij 
these  northern  latitudes. 

Monday,  the  26th.  How  easy  it  is  for  us  poor  mortals  to  be 
disappointed.  This  morning  promised  a  fine  day's  work,  as  we 
were  going  eight  and  a  half  knots  at  breakfast  time,  but  be- 
fore dinner  it  was  almost  calm,  and  this  afternoon  we  have  ac- 
complished mere  nothing.  Such  is  our  lot.  We  are  now  near 
the  coast  of  NorM^ay,  and  if  we  can  get  a  breeze  we  shall  be  in 
the  Straits  of  Skager-Rack. 

Tuesday,  the  27th.  No  wind  during  the  night,  not  enough 
to  steer  the  ship,  but  to-day  at  twelve  a  light  breeze  sprang  up 
from  the  westward,  and  now  at  seven  we  are  going  eight  knots 
per  hour.     The  Skaw  lighthouse  is  in  sight. 

The  coast  of  Jutland  has  been  in  sight  all  of  the  afternoon. 
Several  churches  are  to  be  seen  with  their  high  roofs,  which 
show  the  inhabitants  to  be  church-going  people. 

Wednesday,  the  28th.  So  we  have  passed  the  Skager-Rack 
and  Cattegat,  and  now  we  are  at  anchor  at  Elsinore.  B  has 
gone  ashore  to  enter  and  clear,  and  soon  will  be  back  again. 

He  soon  came  accompanied  by  a  pilot,  with  some  fresh  beef, 
(a  quarter  of  an  ox),  eggs,  milk,  turnips,  carrots,  etc.     The 


206 

order  soon  rang  out  "Heave  up  the  anchor/ 'which  was  accord- 
ingly done  and  all  sail  set,  so  with  a  fair  wind  we  started'  for 
Kronstadt. 

Thursday,  the  29th.  A  light  breeze  during  the  night  and  this 
morning  we  are  in  sight  of  land. 

Friday.  Still  light  wind,  and  we  are  expecting  to  see  the 
island  of  Gotland. 

Saturday,  the  31st.  This  morning  a  strong  head  wind, 
which  is  quite  discouraging. 

Sunday,  June  1st.  Wind  almost  gone,  but  what  little  there  is, 
is  favorable. 

Tuesday,  June  3d.  We  at  last  dropped  our  anchor  inside  of 
the  guard  ship,  which  is  stationed  at  the  place  to  prevent  ves- 
sels going  farther  until  the  ship's  papers  are  sealed  up,  but  as 
we  are  late  I  suppose  we  shall  not  have  a  visit  from  the  gen- 
tlemen until  morning. 

Wednesday,  the  4th.  This  morning  before  the  cloth  was  re- 
moved from  the  breakfast  table,  the  visit  boat  was  alongside, 
and  the  Emperor's  servant  came  on  board  and  sealed'  all  the 
ship's  papers  in  due  form  with  an  enormous  seal,  then  departed. 
The  anchor  was  immediately  heaved  up  and  a  few  moments 
found  us  up  to  the  Mole;  then  another  visit  from  the  guard 
boat.  At  the  Mole  they  took  possession  of  the  sealed  papers 
and  delivered  them  tio  the  custom  house. 

Thursday.  This  morning  the  ship  had  five  feet  of  water  in 
the  hold,  and  from  what  cause  this  leak  originated,  it  is  im- 
possible for  any  one  to  tell.  Two  hands  have  been  employed 
all  day  to  keep  tJie  pumps  free. 

Friday,  the  6th.  This  is  a  fine  day.  The  sun  rose  early, 
which  makes  a  fine  long  day.  The  daylight  lasts  all  night; 
last  night  at  eleven  it  was  light  enough  to  read  without  much 
trouble.     B  lias  gone  to  St.  Petersburg  for  the  first  time. 

Saturday,  the  9th.  The  cargo  is  going  out  of  the  ship  quite 
fast,  but  the  water  has  not  stopped  running  in  yet.  Two  men 
are  employed  pumping. 

Afternoon.  Went  ashore  to  view  the  place,  which  is  com- 
posed of  soldiers'  barracks  and  other  places  for  police  guards,  etc. 
The  place  is  strongly  fortified,  probably  the  most  so  of  any 
place  in  this  part  of  the  globe.  Connon  are  mounted  in  every 
place  where  resistance  could  be  possible,  and  it  is  really  a  sight 
to  walk  along  the  Mole  and  see  the  cannon  balls  and  bombs 
piled  in  heaps  after  heaps  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  extent,  ])ut 
these  are  not  one  half. 


207 

There  are  a  few  shops,  but  we  experienced  much  trouble  in 
buying  any  article  as  we  cannot  speak  the  language.  How- 
ever, we  contrived  to  buy  a  dozen  bowls. 

There  are  two  churches  here  whose  top  are  overlaid  with 
pure  gold,  one  is  a  dome,  the  other  a  spire;  these  glitter  when 
the  sun  shines  upon  them  with  a  brightness  almost  dazzling  to 
the  eye.  The  principal  religion  is  Catholic,  and  the  people 
when  passing  their  churches  lift  their  caps  from  their  heads  and 
cross  themselves  three  times  muttering  something  until  they 
have  passed,  then  replace  their  caps  and  walk  on  with  their 
consciences  much  relieved,  no  doubt. 

This  is  a  very  cleanly  place.  The  streets  are  wide,  and  the 
inhabitants  manifest  much  taste  in  beautifying  the  walks  with 
trees  and  grass.  The  soldiers  all  w^ear  a  thick  outside  gar- 
ment, which,  it  appears  to  me,  must  be  very  burdensome  in 
the  warm  weather;  but  their  principle  is  that  what;  keeps  out 
the  cold  will  also  keep  out  the  heat. 

Sunday,  the  8th.  Attended  church  to-day.  The  services 
were  performed  by  a  roguish-eyed  chap,  who  apparently  thought 
more  of  looking  at  the  people  than  of  worshiping  his  Maker, 
if  we  could  judge  by  his  pulling  up  his  dickey,  primping  his 
hair,  etc.,  during  prayer.  We  were  heartily  glad'  when  we  got 
out.  In  the  afternoon  we  rode  through  the  place,  then  out  to 
Finland,  and  on  our  way  out  we  passed  through  thousands  of 
people.  The  road  was  literally  crowded  with  them,  and  our 
driver  was  continually  hallooing  to  them  to  keep  out  of  his 
horse's  way. 

We  stopped  at  a  public  house  and  took  some  refreshments, 
then  walked  out  to  see  the  Prince,  the  grandson  of  Peter  the 
Great,  the  Lord'  Admiral  of  the  Eussian  fleet.  He  was  seated 
outside  of  the  hotel  upon  a  bench  in  common  citizen's  dress, 
conversing  with  a  man  seated  beside  him,  and  from  his  appear- 
ance he  would  not  have  been  noticed  any  more  than  any 
other  man.  But  notAvithstanding  all  this,  he  is  next  in  au- 
thority to  the  Emperor  himself.  We  looked  at  him  and  he  at 
us  as  much  as  we  pleased. 

Monday,  the  9th.  This  morning  I  heard  the  gun  fired  and 
presently  the  sun  came  peeping  in  at  our  window,  and  upon  look- 
ing at  the  watch  found  thai  it  was  a  quaxter  past  two  o'clock, 
which  is  pretty  early  to  rise. 

Thursday,  the  12th.  This  morning  came  on  shore  to  a  Ger- 
man house  to  board ;  as  the  ship  was  turning  over  quite  fast  we 
thought  proper  to  leave  her. 


208 

Friday.  The  ship's  leak  was  found  and  she  was  righted 
up  again. 

Saturda}^  This  morning  set  off  in  a  John  Gilpin  style  for 
Petersburg;  it  was  raining  as  hard  as  it  could  pour,  and 
not  stopping  to  swallow  a  mouthful  of  breakfast,  we  jumped 
into  a  drosky,  which  is  an  open  carriage,  and  off  we  rode  for  the 
steamboat  hurrah  boys ! !  Such  a  figure  as  we  cut !  Splash, 
splash,  went  the  horses !  Bonnets  blowing  off  back,  the  strings 
streaming  out  in  the  wind;  at  last  we  got  to  the  bridge  where 
the  carriage  was  not  permitted  to  pass,  and  out  we  got  and 
showed  ourselves  at  the  pass  house,  then  started  upon  the  run, 
for  fear  we  were  late,  but  back  we  were  called,  and  seeming  all 
right,  started  once  more.  But  the  rain  pouring  down,  and  B  not 
keeping  up  with  us  we  dodged  into  a  little  hut  that  was  being 
built  and  stopped  until  he  reached  us,  then  all  started  once 
more  for  the  boat,  and  at  last  arrived  there  all  out  of  breath, 
and  sat  ourselves  down  in  the  cabin  to  wait  until  she  started, 
which  was  in  a  few  moments,  and  two  hours  having  expired,  we 
were  in  sight  of  the  golden  spires  of  St.  Petersburg,  so  we 
landed  and  took  a  drosky  and  stopped  at  another  German  house. 

Sunday.  We  went  this  day  to  visit  the  churches  whose  tops 
are  overlaid  with  pure  gold,  some  the  thickness  of  a  quarter  of 
a  dollar.  They  must  have  cost  an  enormous  sum  of  money. 
We  gained  access  to  four  whose  inside  were  splendid, — every- 
where the  eye  could  see  gold  met  the  gaze.  In  one  was  de- 
posited in  a  tomb  covered  with  cloth,  woven  with  threads  of 
gold,  the  body  of  Alexander,  his  father,  brother,  sister  and 
Peter  the  Great.  I  felt  that  we  were  in  the  presence  of  the 
mighty  dead. 

The  services  wer0  closed,  the  most  of  the  congregation  had 
departed;  several,  however,  remained  crowding  around  two 
prieets  with  unshaven  faces,  one  of  whom  was  presenting  a 
cross,  the  other  a  box  with  something  in  it  for  them  to  kiss. 
They  kissed  and  departed  with  apparent  satisfaction.  We 
were  then  alone  with  two  men,  probably  sextons,  so  we  went 
from  one  picture  to  another,  some  of  which  had  lamps  suspended 
from  the  ceiling  before  them,  and  kept  constantly  burning, 
before  which  the  'devout  worshipers  cross  themselves,  and  often 
prostrate  themselves.  I  noticed  one  old  beggar  woman  who 
was  not  permitted  to  enter  the  inner  doors,  bow  herself  and 
touch  her  forehead  to  the  floor  a  dozen  times  casting  her  eyes 
between  each  time  at  a  picture  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  which  was 
half  way  up  a  dark  stair  case.  In  the  porch  were  several 
pictures  of  the  Infant  Jesus,whose  feet  had  been  kissed  so  much 


209 

that  the  canvas  was  literally  worn  through  to  the  board.  What 
a  sight  for  enlightened  people ! 

The  sacristy  (I  suppose  it  was),  B  and  George  were  permitted 
to  enter,  but  we,  on  account  of  being  women,  were  not  allowed 
to  go  in.  But  even  they  could  not  step  upon  the  carpet  where 
the  holy  priest  performed  his  services.  1  attempted  to  go  in 
but  was  prevented  by  the  man  placing  his  arm  before  me  and 
saying  "No." 

After  dinner  we  went  for  the  fourth  time  to  the  governor 
for  a  permit  to  visit  the  palace,  and  succeeded  in  getting  some- 
thing written  in  the  Eussian  language,  but  what  it  was  we  knew 
not;  however,  the  coachman  motioned  that  he  must  go  some- 
where else  to  get  a  signature,  so  off  he  carried  us  several  miles 
in  the  country,  and  at  last  stopped  at  a  place  where  the  man 
lived  who  was  to  sign  the  document,  but  he  being  away  from 
home,  off  we  went  a  mile  further  and  stopped  again.  He  must 
have  informed  the  people  that  there  was  a  cariage  load  of 
Americans  at  the  door,  for  out  came  three  women,  several  girls 
and  a  dozen  children  to  take  a  good  look  at  us.  One  of  the 
women  asked  if  we  spoke  Dutch.  "No."  "Parlez-vous  Fran- 
cais?"  "No,  nothing  but  English."  She  turned  away  with  a 
despairing  look  and  went  into  the  house  and  brought  out  a  girl 
who  could  speak  English  enough  to  ask  B  his  name,  ascertain- 
ing this  the  unfortunate  paper  was  at  last  signed,  so  back  we 
drove  over  the  stone  paved  street  to  the  city,  to  a  building  which 
we  thought  was  the  palace,  a  building  whose  piazza  was  upheld 
by  ten  figures  with  their  arms  up  and  hands  clasping  the  roof 
of  the  building;  they  were  probably  twelve  feet  high,  made  of 
polisixcd  stone  as  smooth  as  glass.  We  got  out  of  the  carriage 
and  ascending  a  flight  of  steps,  were  met  at  the  door  by  a  man 
dressed  in  liverv,  who  motioned  to  a  small  room  where  we  left 
our  parasols  a,nd  I  was  obliged  to  lay  aside  my  cloak,  but 
Frances  was  permitted  to  wear  her  mantilla,  on  account  of  its 
being  shorter  than  my  cloak,  which  I  suppose  was  according  to 
the  laws  of  etiquette  in  this  country. 

We  \\^XQ  then  shown  through  rooms  whose  floors  were  of 
mosaic  work  of  different  colored  wood,  the  walls  of  marble  of 
a  great  variety  of  colors,  'decorated  with  pictures  with  magnifi- 
cent frames;  one  large  library  with  the  writings  of  Voltaire; 
rooms  full  of  statuary,  but  not  understanding  the  language,  and 
having  no  interpreter,  we  could  not  understand  the  designs 
so  well.  One  statue  of  marble  attracted  my  attention;  it  was 
a  man  and  a  child  encircled  by  two  serpents  which  were  crush- 
ing them  to  death.     The  child  was  apparently  in  its  last  strug- 


210 

gle,  the  father  expressed  untold  agony  in  the  convulsive  look 
about  the  mouth  and  forehead.  One  child  was  looking  on,  wit- 
nessing their  agony,  with  such  an  expression  of  pity  that  it 
seemed  almost  impossible  for  it  to  be  marble.  This  must  have 
been  the  work  of  a  skilful  artist. 

One  Egyptiam  god  made  of  stone,  several  other  curiosities 
which  I  cannot  explain ;  so  much  splendor,  so  many  riches .  I 
never  imagined  my  eyes  could  behold.  I  can  only  say  with  the 
Queen  of  Sheba,  "The  half  was  not  told  me.^'  We  visited  all 
the  rooms,  and  I  donned  my  cloak  and  drove  home,  well  satis- 
fied with  what  I  had  seen  for  one  day. 

Monday.  This  morning  rose  at  nine  o'clock ;  took  our  break- 
fast and  sat  ourselves  down  at  the  window  and  soon  the  rain 
came  pattering  down,  so  that  we  concluded  that  we  should  see 
no  more  of  the  city.  B  went  out  to  get  a  chaj-ter  for  his  ship 
and  came  back,  we  had  dinner,  which  took  an  hour,  then  went 
out  again  and  chartered  for  Wiborg;  came  in  and  we  dressed 
and  took  a  steamboat  for  Kronstadt,  arriving  at  eight  o'clock; 
took  some  tea  and  soon  retired  to  rest. 

Sunday,  the  2  2d'.  We  are  now  at  Wiborg,  which  is  a  small 
island  with  a  handful  of  houses  on  it,  and  a  la|rge  quantity  of 
deals  piled  up  on  the  sandy  beach.  However,  it  looks  green, 
and  perhaps  when  the  sun  shines  upon  it,  it  will  look  quite 
pleasant.  It  has  rained  all  day.  There  are  about  a  dozen  ves- 
sels here,  but  none  of  our  country  people.  Day  before  yester- 
day Tom  came  and  said  that  we  had  another  sailor  on  board 
who  had  been  stowed  away,  so  the  watch  was  called  aft,  and  the 
said  man  came  with  them.  He  said  that  he  left  the  ship 
which  he  belonged  to  on  account  of  ill  usage.  B  took  him  and 
locked  him  up  at  night,  and  to-day  he  has  sat  in  one  corner 
of  the  caibin  all  day  long,  saying  not  a  word  unless  spoken  to. 
To-morrow  B  calculates  to  ascertain  what  he  must  do  with  him. 
The  Russian  law  is  very  strict  upon  all  things. 

Sunday,  July  6th.  We  left  Frang  sound  yesterday,  and 
will  complete  our  cargo  where  we  now  lie,  as  there  was  not  a 
sufficient  depth  of  water  at  the  place  where  we  have  been  lying. 

We  are  a  few  miles  from  the  village  in  the  midst  of  rocks 
and  small  islands,  which  make  the  river  look  almost  unnavi- 
gable.  However,  the  pilot  brought  us  safely  here  and  now 
the  way  is  all  clear  when  we  are  loaded  and  a  fair  wind  favors 
us.     Our  next  port  is  Bordeaux. 

We  have  had  several  calls  from  the  ladies,  who  came  to  see 
that  strange  race  of  beings,  the  Americans.  Yesterday  a  Fin- 
nish beggar  woman  came  on  board,  and  after  I  had  given  her 


211 

some  bread,  she  pronounced  her  blessing  upon  us  and  left. 
The  mate  says  that  he  has  faith  to  believe  in  their  power  to 
bring  curses  or  blessings  upon  people,  so  he  in  good  faith  gave 
her  five  copecks,  and  bought  her  blessings.  Now  for  a  fair  wind' 
and  quick  passage. 

Saturday,  the  12th.  This  morning  the  ship  was  permitted 
tio  start  upon  our  voyage,  after  waiting  several  days  for  a  pilot 
to  take  us  the  remaining  distance  out.  We  might  have  gone 
three  days  ago  if  the  lazy  rascals  hajd  come  near  us.  But  no, 
they  had  got  their  pay  in  advance,  and  knew  that  we  could  not 
go  without  them,  so  they  took  their  own  time  for  it;  but  now 
we  are  out,  and  away  from  the  scamps. 

July  27th.  We  are  now  off  the  Gallopyer,  with  a  head  wind 
which,  however,  did  not  come  until  yester'd'ay  afternoon.  Thus 
far  we  have  had  a  fine  run  since  we  left.  Last  Sunday  night 
we  lay  at  anchor  at  Elsinore,  and  since  we  have  had  a  fair  wind 
every  day  until  yesterday  at  four  o'clock. 

It  is  Sunday  and  cool  enough  to  sit  by  a  fire  which  however  we 
'd'o  without  by  substituting  a  shawl  over  our  shoulders  in  the 
room  thereof.  I  feel  an  inclination  to  laziness,  so  accordingly 
leave  off. 

August  8th.  Arrived  at  Pauillac  yesterday,  which  is  thirty 
miles  from  Bordeaiux,  after  a  passage  of  eighteen  days  from 
Elsinore.  This  looks  to  be  a  fine  country,  everything  is  as 
green  as  a  sunny  clime  can  make  it.  And  surely  this  is  France, 
the  land  of  Lafayette's  birth.  Yesterday  took  a  walk  ashore, 
and  found  blackberries  in  abundance  growing  at  every  side  of 
the  street  for  hedges.     They  were  full  of  unripe  berries. 

We  came  off  with  a  basket  of  plums,  peaches,  pears  and  ap- 
ples, which  tasted  nice  indeed  after  a  voyage  of  eighteen  days. 

September  8th.  We  are  now  loading  for  New  Orleans  and 
shall  remain  here  some  weeks.  The  country  looks  fine,  and 
grapes  are  cultivated  in  every  direction.  We  went  several  miles 
into  the  country  in  company  with  quite  a  number  of  American 
and  French  people;  dined  and  walked  over  the  plantation,  and 
spent  the  most  of  the  day.  Blackberries  grow  here  in  abun- 
dance, but  the  people  do  not  think  them  worth  gathering. 

Bordeaux  is  a  nice  place  to  live  on  board  ship,  as  we  lie  so 
near  the  shore  that  we  can  hear  the  fruit  venders  crying  their 
fruit,  and  the  noise  of  the  carriages  rolling  over  the  pavement 
comes  so  plainly  to  us,  that,  we  almost  think  them  at  our  door. 
To-day  is  Sunday,  but  we  have  not  been  to  church  in  this  place, 
although  this  is  the  third  Sunday  thaft  we  have  been  in  this 
place. 


212 

November.  Since  I  wrote  the  foregoing  we  have  left  Bor- 
deaux, and  are  now  passing  the  Berry  Islands  without  much 
wind.  We  have  forty-three  passengers  on  board,  which  serves 
to  kill  the  monotony  of  a  long  passage  across  the  Atlantic. 
It  is  warm,  the  thermometer  standing  at  82  in  the  shade.  Such 
is  my  life,  now  here,  now  there,  sometimes  in  our  beloved  coun- 
try, sometimes  in  other  climes  where  the  sun  shines  with  in- 
tense heat,  sometimes  where  he  is  very  sparing  of  his  rays, 
scarcely  showing  his  face  through  the  long  winter  months.  Such 
as  Russia. 

January  8th.  We  have  been  to  Orleans  and  loaded  and  now 
are  on  our  way  to  jS'ew  York.  Passed  Orange  Keys  this  morn- 
ing; light  winds  and  pleasant  weather. 

Voyage  from  Havana  to  Hamburg. 

Saturday,  May  29,  1852.  I  feel  that  I  must,  resume  my  long 
neglected  writing  book  and  note  down,  day  by  day,  things  that 
occur. 

We  arrived  at  this  city  March  twelfth,  and  after  waiting 
sixty-one  days  chartered  the  ship  to  go  to  Hamburg,  and  now 
we  are  loading  and  shall  probably  sail  on  Tuesday  next,  so  that 
to-day  is  a  very  busy  day  with  all  on  board.  B  and  George 
liave  gone  ashore  to  pass  the  afternoon.  The  cabin  boy  is  pre- 
paring things  under  his  department,  to  be  in  readiness  to  sail. 
The  last  of  the  cargo  is  being  hoisted  in,  and  all  seem  in  good 
spirits.  So  we  go  from  one  port  to  another,  and  are  passing 
our  lives  away. 

Sunday,  the  30th.  It  is  a  w^arm  day,  everything  is  still, 
which  makes  it  appear  like  the  Sabbath.  Capt.  George  Davis  is 
spending  the  day  with  us,  so  that  it  will  not  pass  so  lonesomely 
as  it  would  otherwise  do. 

]^Ionday,  the  31st.  Eose  early  this  morning  and  commenced 
w^hing,  and  with  the  boy's  help  I  finished  a  large  washing  by 
half  past  nine  o'clock.  In  the  afternoon  I  ironed  them  so  as 
to  be  in  readiness  to  sail. 

Tuesday,  June  1st.  Did  not  sail  this  morning  as  we  expected, 
owdng  to  B  not  getting  his  papers  from  the  consul,  he  being 
out  to  dine  and  his  office  closed,  so  B  procured  an  interpreter 
and  WTnt  in  search  of  him,  but  all  in  vain,  he  could  not  be 
found,  so  we  were  obliged  to  lie  another  day.  We  are  now  in 
readiness  to  depart  on  the  morrow,  if  nothing  unseen  occurs  but, 
oh !  the  many  miles  that  we  must  sail,  the  unpleasant  days  and 
tedious  headaches,   etc.,   that  I   must  endure  before  we   shall 


213 

arrive  at  our  destined  haven ;  but  the  dangers  are  directed  by 
Him  who  holdeth  the  sea  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand^  and  whose 
eye  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps.  Shall  we  pass  through  all  in 
safety?  Shall  we  be  so  happy  as  to  return  to  our  native  land 
once  more  and  see  the  faces  of  our  beloved  friend's  ? 

Wednesday,  the  2d.  We  are  now  outside  of  the  Moro  witJi 
scarcely  a  breath  of  wind,  but  with  the  kind  assistance  of  many 
captains  we  were  towed  out,  and  if  the  wind  would  but  breeze  a 
littie,  we  might  get  off  from  the  land.  It  looks  like  a  sultry 
day:  the  clouds  look  like  heaps  of  snow;  the  Moro  flags  hang 
lazily  'down;  the  water  appears  smooth  with  scarcely  a  ripple 
to  disturb  its  glassy  surface,  which  is  studded  here  and  there 
with  vessels  of  various  classes,  from  the  ship  to  the  small  boat. 
We  all  feel  glad  and  even  rejoice  to  leave  this  place,  where  we 
have  been  eighty-one  'days.  Even  the  sailors  say  the  same. 
Who  would  not  feel  so  to  leave  a  place  where  we  have  no  priv- 
ileges, not  even  of  attending  church,  and  scarcely  any  society. 
Yet  such  is  often  the  case  with  seafaring  people. 

Thursday,  the  3d.  Eose  this  morning  at  half  past  five  and 
found  it  almost  suffocatingly  warm,  the  thermometer  standing 
at  87  degrees,  and  the  waters,  ^s  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  as 
smooth  and  glistening  as  a  polished  mirror.  Everything  seems 
panting  for  a  breath  of  air.  The  pig  is  grunting  and  walking 
deck  with  his  mouth  open  seeking  some  cool  place  where  his 
pigship  may  lie.  We  have  pigeons,  doves,  chickens  and  goats 
on  board,  and  in  the  morning  I  take  it  upon  myself  to  see  that 
they  are  cared  for. 

Friday,  the  4th.  There  seems  to  be  nothing  of  importance  to 
write  about  except  calms  and  very  light  wind's.  I  have  been 
employed  in  making  pineapple  preserver,  which  I  intend  to 
carry  to  a  home,  if  I  ajn  ever  so  happy  as  to  have  one.  George 
is  fishing  over  tJie  stern  for  dolphins 

Saturday,  the  5th.  Last  night  the  wind  breezed  up,  and  has 
lasted  until  now  but  it  is  ahead,  and  I  hope  that  it  will  change  for 
I  dread  a  head  wind.  Oh,  how  much !  There  are  three  vessels 
in  sight,  but  we  are  outsailing  them  quite  fast.  This  morn- 
ing we  are  three  days  out,  and  expect  to  weather  Martinilla 
Reef  by  twelve  o'clock  to-day. 

Sunday,  the  6th.  Latitude  28.44  Last  night  we  had  a  tre- 
mendous head  sea,  so  that  we  were  obliged  to  take  in  the  top- 
gallaintsails  but,  notwithstanding  this,  the  ship  pitched  and 
rolled  about  awfully,  making  me  sick,  so  that  this  morning  I 
was  minus  breakfast  with  the  exception  of  a  bowl  of  gruel. 
Now  I  feel  much  better  as  the  sea  has  abated,  and  I  have  eaten 


214 

some  dinner  of  chicken  soup  and  dessert  of  muskmelon,  which 
is  the  last  one  that  we  have  left,  as  the  goat  helped  herself  too 
freely  to  them  the  first  night  we  came  out.  She  came  in  the 
still  of  the  night  while  we  were  wrapped  in  slumber  into  the 
cabin  and  entered  the  stateroom  and'  devoured  half  a  dozen. 

Monday,  the  7th.  Strong  breezes;  the  water  constantly  com- 
ing in  so  as  to  almost  fill  the  waist  full.  There  seems  to  be 
an  unpleasant  spirit  lurking  somewhere.  The  captain  and  mate 
had  some. hard  words  last  night,  for  the  first  time,  I  believe. 

Tuesday  the  8th.  The  wind  still  continues  strong  with 
a  bad  sea,  so  that  we  are  under  double  reefs,  and  I  am  sick  in 
body  and  mind. 

Wednesday,  the  9th.  One  week  this  morning  since  we  came 
out,  and  we  have  gone  the  distance  of  nine  hundred  miles, 
which  is  a  fair  week's  work.  We  are  now  in  latitude  34.30, 
longitude  73  1-2.  All  sail  is  set,  the  wind  being  aft,  and  not 
too  much  of  it,  so  that  we  should  go  smoothly  along  if  it  were 
not  for  a  bad  sea.  We  have  had  our  cabin  floor  wet  for  two 
days,  and  it  has  rained  almost  incessantly,  but  this  morning 
there  is  some  appearance  of  clear  weather,  which  will  be  very 
agreeable  to  me  after  so  much  wet. 

Thursday,  the  10th.  This  day  the  wind  continues  fair  with 
continual  showers  of  rain.  Things  go  the  same  as  they  have 
for  the  last  half  dozen  years,  one  day  after  another  passes,  and 
I  am  continually  changing  my  situation.  I  do  hope  that 
after  we  close  up  this  voyage,  that  we  shall  have  a  foot  of  land 
that  we  can  call  our  own  with  a  comfortable  house.  These 
wishes  cannot  be  called  extravagant. 

Friday,  the  11th.  A  head  wind,  which  always  brings  un- 
pleasant feelings  with  it,  has  this  day  made  its  appearance, 
but  I  hope  that  its  visitation  will  be  of  short  duration.  George 
lias  got  his  lessons  this  forenoon  somewhat  better  than  usual, 
and  now  he  is  as  busy  as  a  "cat  in  a  gale  of  wind"  with  his 
playthings.     He  loves  excitement  and  is  always  in  good  spirits. 

Half  past  one  o'clock.     B  is  napping  on  the  sofa. 

At  sea  there  is  so  little  worthy  of  writing  down  that  I  am 
often  at  a  loss  what  entries  to  make,  but  if  I  should  attempt  to 
describe  the  ocean,  I  should  merely  say  that  it  looked  like  an  old 
ftiend  which  had  a  rather  rough  exterior  and  not  altogether 
agreeable  appearance  to  me, — but  a  friend  who  has  borne  me 
safely  on  its  bosom  for  some  number  of  years,  through  dangers 
seen  and  unseen,  and  I  have  been  protected,  while  many  valuable 
lives  have  found  a  watery  grave.     Perhaps  my  destiny  may  yet 


215 

be  to  do  some  good  in  the  world,  to  help  the  unfortunate  and 
friendless, — or  something  else. 

Saturday,  the  13th.  Wind  still  ahead;  we  are  under  double 
reefs  fore  and  aft;  there  is  a  troublesome  sea,  which  is  com- 
ing in  at  a  great  rate.  I  have  been  sitting  on  deck  wrapped 
in  my  thick  shawl,  and  hardy  comfortable  at  that.  B  has  had 
his  feet  wet  for  an  hour,  but  has  now  consented  to  change 
his  stockings.  George  has  stripped  his  off,  and  is  now  patter- 
ing around  barefoot.  This  is  a  great  change  in  the  climate 
since  we  left  Havana;  there  a  cold  breath  was  a  great  luxury, 
now  it  would  almost  freeze  one.  There  the  thermometer  was 
'day  after  day  at  90  and  d2  in  the  cabin,  now  it  is  65,  which 
is  quite  a  change. 

Sunday,  the  13th.  No  change  in  the  wind  yet.  I  feel  quite 
sad  about  it,  thinking  what  a  long  distance  we  have  yet  to  go. 
Sunday  is  a  quiet  day  on  board  of  the  ship  when  the  weather 
is  decently  good;  no  work  is  going  on,  every  one  is  at  rest, 
which  makes  it  seem  "quite  Sabbathlike  and  solemn.''  Oh,  for 
a  calm  and  holy  mind  to  meet  the  various  ills  of  life ! 

Afternoon.  Have  been  overhauling  old  letters,  and  have 
derived  some  pleasure  in  bringing  old  scenes  to  mind  again. 
In  these  letters  absent  friends  seem  almost  conversing  with  us. 
Frances  has  been  now  awav  from  us  three  months,  which  seems 
a  long  time.  Oh,  how  I  wish  I  could  see  her  for  one  hour ! 
would  it  not  afford  us  a  world  of  pleasure  to  see  her  dear  face 
once  more,  but  ah !  it  cannot  be.  The  blue  Atlantic  is  bearing 
us,  day  by  day,  farther  and  farther  away  from  our  beloved 
friends. 

We  {lave  all  sail  set  to-day,  and  not  quite  so  much  wind  as  yes- 
terday. 

Monday,  the  14th.  Strong  head  wind  still  and  no  prospect 
of  a  change.  Shortened  sail  this  morning,  and  now  we  are  roll- 
ing and  pitching  badly.  Last  night  B  was  rather  ill  during 
the  night;  he  was  cold  and  feverish,  which  alarmed  me  so  that 
I  lay  awake  several  hours,  conjuring  up  a  thousand  things 
which  are  dispelled  this  morning  by  his  eating  a  usual  allowance 
for  breakfast,  and  setting  himself  to  work.  He  says  that  he 
feels  tolerably  well  now.     I  am  seasick. 

Afternoon.  No  change  yet,  and  I  am  troubled  with  an  insup- 
portable drowsy  feeling,  which  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  describe. 
It  is  really  a  source  of  great  annoyance  to  me,  for  I 
do  not  need  sleep,  and  to  be  in  this  situation  is  really  vexatious. 
I  think  it  proceeds  from  the  constant  motion  of  the  ship,  and  a 


216 

rush  of  bloo'd'  to  the  brain.     No  person  can  imagine  its  hostility 
to  all  that  is  agreeable  and  pleasant,  yet  I  have  to  bear  it. 

Tuesday,  June  15th.  Wind  not  changed  yet.  We  proceed 
very  slowly  indeed ;  bad  motion  as  usual,  but  the  sun  shines  and 
the  poultry  and  goats  are  at  liberty  so  that  they  can  enjoy  them- 
selves better  than  when  shut  up.  B  is  very  much  interested  in 
a  book  entitled  "Modern  Accomplishments;"  he  can  scarcely 
leave  it  a  moment. 

Now,  at  our  beloved  native  land  at  this  time  of  the  year, 
everything  in  the  gardens  is  at  its  height  of  beauty;  now  roses, 
pinks  and  all  the  dear  flowers  that  I  used  to  love  with  so  much 
childish  affection,  are  now  glowing  and  growing  delightfully, 
and  how  refreshing  would  it  be  to  me  to  have  a  bouquet  of  them 
fresh  from  father's  garden,  would  it  not? 

Wednesday,  the  16th.  A  change!  Good  news!  Fair  wind! 
and  with  it  a  change  in  my  feelings.  I  feel  happy,  cheerful 
and  contented.  I  can  go  about  and  arrange  the  misplaced 
things,  and  this  morning  washed  for  the  first  time  since  we 
came  out.  We  this  day  commence  the  third  week  out,  and  have 
gone  the  distance  of  seventeen  hundred  miles,  which  is  not  bad 
for  two  weeks,  but  the  distance  gone  over  looks  small  in  com- 
parison to  that  ahead;  I  hope  that  the  good  Providence  which 
has  been  with  us  thus  far.  will  continue  with  us  till  our  jour- 
ney is  at  end,  and  through  our  mortal  life. 

It  is  a  beautiful  day,  the  sun  is  shining  gloriously  on  the 
ocean.  The  porpoises  playing  about  us  on  all  sides,  and  every- 
thing looks  pleasant  and  happy, — so  much  for  a  fair  wind. 

Thursday  l?th.  Our  fair  wind  continues,  but  quite  light; 
however,  we  cannot  complain  as  we  are  comfortable.  The 
ship  is  upright  and  there  is  but  little  motion.  There  is  a  vessel 
in  sight  for  the  first  time  since  we  left  Hatter  as.  George  has 
been  a  very  bad  boy  about  getting  his  arithmetic  lesson 
to-day.  He  was  all  the  forenoon  in  getting  what  he  could  ac- 
complish in  three  quarters  of  an  hour. 

Friday,  the  18th.  A  light  breeze  which  is  carrying  us  to 
Hamburg.  We  are  not  far  distant  from  the  Newfoundland 
Bank.  There  is  a  hazy,  misty  atmosphere,  which  dampens 
everything,  and  somehow  or  other,  this  is  not  agreeable  to 
my  temper,  for  I  do  not  enjoy  myself  so  well  in  a  day  like  this 
as  I  do  in  a  clear,  dry,  sunshiny  day.  Nothing  new  to-'d'ay  has 
yet  occurred. 

Saturday,  the  19th.  This  makes  the  fourth  day  that  we  have 
been  blessed  with  a  fair  wind,  and  I  can  truly  say  that  I  am 
very  thankful  for  itw     The  sooner  our  passage  is  made  so  much 


217 

the  better  it  is  for  us.  There  are  some  things  which  are  not  so 
pleasant  as  one  could  wish.  One  thing,  B  and  the  mate  are 
scarcely  on  speaking  terms ;  they  sit  down  and  eat  and  rise  with- 
out any  conversation.  The  mate  is  an  Englishman,  and  thiriks 
himself  a  little  superior  to  a  Yankee,  I  suppose.  This,  B  can- 
not bear;  and  so  they  pass  day  after  day,  and  it  is  not  so  very 
agreeable. 

We  have  advanced  as  far  as  the  banks,  and  hope  to  be  past  by 
to-morrow. 

Sunday,  the  20th.  Are  now  passing  the  banks  with  the  wind 
after  us,  which  makes  it  look  encouraging.  Sunday  has  come 
again.  How  quickly  the  weeks  fly  away,  although  the  hours 
drag  heavily  along.  I  do  not  enjoy  the  sea  as  well  as  I  for- 
,merly  did.     My  head  is  very  troublesome. 

Monday,  June  21st.  Almost  calm;  scarcely  going  three  miles 
an  hour,  yet  what  wind  we  have  is  favorable.  It  is  washing 
day;  now  the  cabin  is  undergoing  a  scraping  and  I  expect  it 
will  look  very  nice.  George  thinks  that  it  cannot  compare  with 
it  when  aunt  Frank  used  to  scour  it ;  he  says  it  was  brighter  then 
than  it  is  now.  B  has  had  a  hand  in  it^  and  one  might  laugh 
to  see  the  captain  of  the  Ship  Pumgustuck  down  upon  his 
knees,  scouring  the  floor ! 

Tuesday,  tJie  2 2d.  A  nice  breeze  to-day,  going  six  and  one 
half  knots. 

Wednesday,  the  23d.  The  wind  has  changed  to  the  north- 
west, but  is  still  fair  for  us,  and  we  are  going  seven  and  one 
half  knots  all  this  afternoon.  One  week  to-day  since  we  have 
been  blessed  witJi  favorable  winds,  and  have  advanced  during 
that  time  nine  hundred  miles,  by  which  means  we  have  been 
nearing  our  port,  and  if  we  are  permitted  to  arrive  safely  there, 
it  will  be  a  matter  of  rejoicing  to  us  all.  Have  now  twenty-one 
hundred  miles  still  to  go,  and,  oh,  how  great  a  distance  that 
seems  in  prospect ! 

Thursday,  the  24th.  Calm  through  the  most  of  the  night 
and  all  the  forenoon.  We  picked  up  a  piece  of  plank  that  had 
been  long  in  the  water,  perchance  a  part  of  some  ship. 

Friday,  the  25th.  A  fine  breeze  as  one  could  desire,  not- 
withstanding yesterday  afternoon  it  was  ahead;  and  so  we  go 
along  with  the  wind  first  on  one  side  and  then  on  the  other. 
I  think  I  hear  tJie  dishes  rattle  and,  fear  that  they  are  sliding 
off  the  table,  as  we  are  heeled  down  some  as  usual. 

26th.  Saturday  has  come  again,  and  with  it  our  good  wind, 
which  has  been  following  us  for  more  than  a  week.  My  spirits 
are  very  good  to-day,  notwithstanding  the  motion  of  the  ship, 


218 

which  is  always  annoying  to  me.     This  is  the  fifth  Saturday 
since  we  sailed,  and  oh,  how  fast  the  time  is  passing. 

Sunday,  the  27th.  Oh,  Time  how  dost  thou  show  thy  foot- 
steps upon  the  ocean!  Another  week  is  buried  with  the  past. 
No  more  will  its  days  rise  and  set  upon  us.  No  more  will  the 
same  winds  and  waves  waft  us  o'er  the  briny  deep !  No,  gone, 
gone  forever ! 

The  wind  is  fair,  but  very  light ;  the  atmosphere  is  damp. 

Monday,  the  38th.  The  wind  is  very  strong;  we  are  going 
eight  and  one  half  knots,  which  is  all  that  the  ship  will  go, 
loaded  as  we  now  are.  I  washed  to-day  as  usual  this  voyage  on 
Mondays.  Nothing  of  importance  to  write  down  to-day,  ex- 
cept that  we  are  passing  the  Western  islands. 

Tuesday,  the  29th.  During  the  last  twenty-four  hours  we 
have  neared  our  port  of  destination  two  hundred  miles,  and  are 
now  going  along  eight  and  one  half  miles  per  hour.  Last  night 
was  one  of  great  discomfort  to  me,  as  the  ship  was  rolling  from 
side  to  side  as  if  in  a  fit  of  desperation,  so  I  crowded  myself  into 
one  of  the  narrow  berths,  and  there  I  lay  all  night  tossing  from 
sid'e  to  side  amid  all  sorts  of  dreams  concerning  things  and 
people  at  home.  Something  about  horses  troubled  me  a  good 
part  of  the  night.  It  is  sailors'  superstition  to  believe  in  horse 
dreams  as  prognosticating  good  or  evil.  Wind  aft;  passed  a 
ship  bound  to  the  westward,  and  our  ensign  and  burgee  were 
run  up,  so  they  in  exchange  did  likewise.  She  was  the  Cath- 
arine of  New  York. 

Wednesday,  the  30th.  Good  wind  still,  and  we  are  much  in 
hopes  to  carry  it  with  us  to  the  channel,  for  we  are  but  three 
days'  sail  like  the  last  from  Sicily  island. 

Thursday,  July  1st.  Going  along  finely;  three  vessels  in 
sight.     We  hope  to  be  on  soundings  to-morrow  if  the  wind  holds. 

Friday,  the  2d.  At  one  o'clock  the  lead  was  thrown  and  got 
bottom,  so  that  we  can  say  that  we  are  on  English  ground. 
It  is  very  thick  and  dtiU,  so  that  B  begins  to  feel  very  much 
anxiety  of  mind  concerning  making  the  land  to-morrow.  I 
tell  him  to  hope  as  I  do  that  we  shall  have  it  cleared  on  the 
morrow,  for  it  is  no  use  to  borrow  trouble,  for  we  have  it  fast 
enough  without. 

Saturday,  the  3d.  This  day  have  entered  the  mouth  of  the 
channel,  but  the  wind  has  changed  from  strong  breezes  to 
very  light  wind  and  is  now  ahead,  but  the  weather  is  clear,  and 
B  got  good  observations  to-day. 

This  afternoon  saw  the  Lizard'  just  before  sunset ;  it  is  thirty- 
one  days  since  we  left  Havana,  which  is  a  good  passage. 


219 

Sunday  July  4th.     Glorious  day  of  Independence ! 

Calm  and  clear,  we  have  advanced  but  little ;  the  tide  is  ebbing 
but  will  soon  turn,  so  that  we  shall  drift  along  some  for  a  few 
hours  if  it  is  calm;  wind  east;  six  o'clock  a  change  of  wind  to 
the  westward  and  thick  fog.  We  have  passed  the  Lizard  and 
are  not  to  the  Start  yet. 

Monday,  July  5th.  Calm  throughout  the  night,  and  during  the 
day  the  wind  has  been  in  every  point  of  the  compass,  and  now  at 
four  o'clock  it  is  decidedly  ahead.  At  noon  we  had  a  shower  of 
rain  accompanied  by  thunder  and  lightning, — the  first  we  have 
had  this  summer.  Oh,  when  shall  we  arrive  at  Hamburg.  We 
passed  Start  this  forenoon. 

Tuesday  the  6th.  Wind  not  stationary;  we  are  as  far  east  as 
Sti   Albans   Head;  progressing  slowly. 

Wednesday,  the  7th.  Wind  still  ahead  and  no  prospect  of  a 
change.  It  is  hard  beating  to  the  windward.  This  morning 
saw  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  hope  we  shall  get  by  it  to-day. 

Evening.     Passed  Wight  and  saw  Beachy  Head  light. 

Thursday  the  8th.     N'o  change. 

Evening,  eight  o^ clock.  Dunge  Ness  light  in  sight;  the  wind 
very  light;  tide  down  channel ;  all  against  us, — oh,  oh ! 

Friday,  the  9th.  Dover  not  far  a^head.  Several  boats 
have  been  to  us  to-day  from  England.  One  brought  bread,  po- 
tatoes, eggs,  for  which  they  charged  an  enormous  price;  fifty 
cents  for  eggs;  five  dollars  a  barrel  for  potatoes.  One  boat  has 
gone  ashore  for  a  pilot  for  us.  B  h^s  been  broken  of  his  rest 
for  several  nights,  and  I  think  if  we  can  have  a  pilot,  it  will  re- 
lieve his  mind  in  a  great  measure.  The  coast  along  here 
looks  very  pretty;  villages  occasionally  show  themselves  as  we 
stand  in  to  the  shore.  Folkstone  is  a  place  of  considerable  ex- 
tent. I  can  see  the  spires  of  the  churches,  and  a  large  iron 
works.  The  houses  appear  large  and  massive  with  many  win- 
dows, and  on  the  whole  it  is  quite  a  relief  to  the  eye,  after  see- 
ing nothing  but  water  for  so  long  a  time.  I  wish  we  were  bound 
there  instead  of  to  Hamburg. 

Saturday,  the  10th.  Succeeded  in  obtaining  a  pilot,  and 
came  to  anchor  off  Dover  this  morning.  At  four  o'clock  weighed 
anchor  and  have  got  into  the  North  Sea,  with  a  strong  head 
wind,  and  quite  a  disagreeable  motion. 

Sunday  morning,  the  11th.  Thick  fog  and  a  head  wind; 
gained  but  little  since  we  came  out. 

Evening.  No  change;  everything  looks  dreary;  the  day 
passes  heavily.     Oh,  how  I  long  for  tihe  land  where  I  can  en- 


220 

joy  the  fresh  fields  and  flowers,  and  the  sweet  perfume  of  the 
flowers. 

Monday,  the  12th.  Sun  shines,  but  wind  ahead;  advance 
very  slowly. 

Tuesday,  the  13th.  Wind  ahead.  Here  we  are,  beating  day 
af tier  'day,  and  when  shall  we  have  a  change  ? 

Wednesday  morning,  the  14th.  No  change.  Wind  light. 
We  are  making  a  long  passage  through  the  North  Sea,  and 
if  we  do  not  soon  arrive,  we  shall  be  out  of  many  kinds  of  things 
in  the  provision  line,  which  adds  to  our  discomfort. 

Thursday,  the  15th.  Still  the  same  wind,  and  we  are  almost 
discouraged  with  this  hard  luck.  I  have  a  headache,  and'  feel 
almost  sick.     Just  spoke  a  pilot  boat  belonging  to  Bremen. 

Friday,  the  16th.  Awoke  this  morning  and  found  that  we 
had  a  light  breeze,  so  that  w^e  headed  our  course,  a  thing  that 
we  have  not  done  but  once  for  two  weeks. 

Afternoon.  Calm  and  pleasant,  a  very  summer's  day.  We 
are  tired  of  this  passage. 

Saturday,  the  17th.  Our  good  wind  is  all  gone,  and  in- 
stead thereof,  last  night  throughout  the  night,  it  was  calm, 
and  this  miorning  it  breezed  up  again, — where  do  you  think 
from?  Why  from  the  east  of  course.  So  now  we  are  beating 
as  usual  since  we  entered  the  English  channel. 

Sunday,  thi  18th  This  morning  awoke,  ind  to  my  joy  found 
that  the  wind  was  fair,  and  that  we  were  quite  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Elbe,  which  is  certainly  more  than  we  expected  when 
we  retired  last  night.  So  we  soon  arrived  at  Cuxhaven,  where 
we  exchanged  pilots,  and  are  now  proceeding  up  the  river,, 
which  is  very  pleasant.  We  can  see  pleasant  villages  on  each 
side  of  the  river,  with  their  church  spires  pointing  heavenward. 
This  reminds  me  of  the  good  old  Orthodox  town  where  I  w^as 
larought  up,  and  a  thousand  pleasant  thoughts  crowd  upon  my 
brain.  This  is  a  very  pleasant  country.  We  have  been  feast- 
ing ourselves  upon  cherries,  green  peas,  beefsteak,  milk,  etc. 

Monday,  the  19th.  At  anchor  this  morning  at  a  place  called 
Stadt.  We  can  go  no  further  until  we  lighten  the  ship.  Cabin 
boy  went  ashore  with  ship's  papers  and  came  off  with  a  mes- 
sage from  a  gentleman  to  me,  saying  that  he  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  me,  but  did  not  bring  his  name,  so  I  am  in  the 
dark  who  this  gentleman  can  be. 

Tuesday,  the  20th.  Commenced  this  morning  discharging 
cargo;  took  out  four  lighter  loads,  then  started  and  came  up 
the  river  across  the  bars  safely,  but  the  wind  died  away,  so  that 
we  were  obliged  to  anchor  again,  and  there  remained  all  night. 


221 

Wednesday,  the  21st.  This  morning  heaved  up  anchor,  and 
xitopped  stern  foremost  until  we  safely  came  inside  of  the  booms, 
and  then  made  fast.  Everything  about,  as  far  as  I  can  see 
from  the  ship,  looks  green  and  beautiful.  B  has  gone  ashore 
and  I  expect  to  go  this  afternoon,  if  nothing  prevents.  I 
think  that  a  change  of  living  and  scenery  will  do  us  all  good, 
for  we  have  now  been  living  on  board  more  than  a  year.  We 
had  letters  from  our  friends,  and  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  hear 
from  them  when  so  far  from  them;  it  is  like  "Cold  water  to  a 
thirsty  soul."  There  has  been  quite  a  number  of  people  on 
board.     They  all  seem  very  friendly  and  well  disposed. 

Thursday,  the  22d.  Yesterday  afternoon  came  ashore  to 
board  at  thef  British  and  Union  hotel,  where  we  are  now  and 
think  that  we  shall  be  well  satisfied.  Our  expenses  will  be  two 
dollars  per  day.  George  seems  much  delighted  with  everything 
he  sees ;  even  the  paper  of  the  room  excites  much  admiration. 

Friday,  the  23d.  This  day  we  took  a  ride  out  to  see  the  ma- 
nagerie  of  wild  animals ;  had  a  very  pleasant  time,  but  the  coach- 
man charged  one  dollar  for  two  hours,  which  we  shall  not  pay 
again. 

Saturday,  the  24th.  This  morning  I  went  out  with  Mr.  Eob- 
ertson's  daughter,  Sophia,  to  see  if  we  could  not  engage  a  coach 
for  less  money  than  we  paid  yesterday.  We  found  one  who 
said  that  he  would  drive  us  at  twenty-eight  cents  per  hour  with 
one  horse,  but  if  with  two,  it  would  be  sixteen  cents  more.  So 
we  have  engaged  him  for  all  the  time  we  are  here. 

Sunday,  the  25th..  The  American  consul's  lady  called  this 
morning  for  me  to  go  to  church  with  her,  so  George  and  myself 
accompanied  her  to  the  Eeformed  church  of  England.  The 
services  were  much  the  same  as  ours  at  home.  The  people  here 
■do  not  like  to  attend  church;  they  work  hard  all  the  week,  and 
use  Sunday  as  a  holiday;  attending  the  theaters  and  all  places 
of  amusements,  etc.  I  do  not  think  the  city  wears  such  a  pleas- 
ing aspect  as  it  did  when  we  were  here  before,  but  it  was  two 
months  earlier,  and  everything  was  glowing  with  beauty  then. 

We  have  not  seen  old  Madame  Lethany  that  we  boarded  with 
when  we  were  here  before.  She  does  not  keep  boarders  now,  but 
has  gone  outside  the  gates  to  live. 

Friday,  the  30th.  The  week  so  far  has  been  spent  in  walk- 
ing, riding  and  other  amusements.  Captain  Drummond,  the 
only  American  except  ourselves  here,  has  been  somewhat  smit- 
ten with  a  little  German  girl.  She  is  very  pretty  and  only  fifteen 
years  old. 


222 

The  people  here  are  very  fond  of  amusement,  and  it  seems 
that  every  one  must  have  it.  They  go  out  every  day  and  visit 
some  garden  where  they  have  tea  served  out  of  doors.  There 
they  sit  and  enjoy  themselves,  and  nice  old  ladies  take  out  their 
knitting  work  and  knit  the  whole  time  as  busy  as  bees.  I  am 
interrupted  by  a  woman  with  four  children,  playing  upon  a  large 
harp  and  singing  very  prettily.  She  probably  gets  her  living 
in  this  manner. 

I  have  made  several  acquaintances  and  some  very  pleasant 
ones,  too,  since  I  have  been  here. 

August  8th.  We  left  Hamburg  yesterday  with  a  ship  load  of 
passengers.  This  morning  at  four  o'clock  left  Cuxhaven,  and 
are  now  out  of  sight  of  the  land.  Many  of  the  people  are  sick. 
We  have  let  out  the  cabin  and  are  now  living  in  the  after  room. 


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